MARK Williams says a desire to play finals football coupled with a miracle goal helped spur an under-manned Port Adelaide to a 28-point victory over Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.

The Power had reeled in a 20 point deficit early in the game to lead at half time but again trailed the home side by two points at the final break.

Williams said he had paid no attention to the fact that Fremantle had lost its previous four games straight after leading at three quarter time.

“To me Fremantle’s record wasn’t significant,” Williams said.

“It was our record as to how much we wanted to play in the finals and that’s all we had to drag out.

“The Fremantle crowd did a wonderful thing in trying to get their players up and you could certainly hear the noise.

“But we had a real goal to work towards and that was whatever slim chance we still have (of making the finals) to keep it going.

“We’ve still got a chance of making it and if we play well, we will.”

The Power opened the final quarter with a freak goal from Daniel Motlop who read the ball off the back of a pack and instinctively dribbled a shot from the boundary line with Fremantle defenders descending.

Williams said as far as he was concerned it was a certainty to win goal of the year.

“That goal he kicked at the start of the last quarter, you had to be here to see it didn’t you?” Williams said.

“It was one of the great goals of all time and I know he doesn’t get too much respect outside of South Australia but I’m looking to see what goal beats that.”

Williams revealed the club had several anxious moments in the lead-up to the game with at least four players affected by illness and on-baller Domenic Cassisi a late withdrawal due to a virus.

“It was a really gutsy win here today (as) we had real concerns over sickness through our group,” he said.

“So for the players to have a bit of doubt over whether they could get through the game and the mental courage they showed at three quarter time to keep going, it was a pretty significant win for us.”

Williams dismissed suggestions the door was locked on the top eight.

“I know that if we won every game until the end of the year then the eight is not set. It’s really up to us and we’ll take on each game as it comes and look forward to playing Carlton this week,” he said.