The Swans' three-goal final quarter was enough for them to triumph by 11 points, 16.9 (105) to 14.10 (94).
After Daniel Motlop's second goal of the quarter put Port Adelaide up for the first time in the match midway through the last term, it seemed the Power would be destined for a famous come-from-behind victory.
But there was still drama to be played out.
First, it was Jarred Moore's third goal that brought scores dead-level at the 22-minute mark.
And then came the climax, when South Australian Tim Schmidt marked and goaled with just minutes left on the clock to ensure the Swans held on for the four points.
A late goal to Jarrad McVeigh stretched the winning margin back out to the 11-point break the Swans enjoyed at half time.
In close contests, any number of instances can be pin-pointed as the decisive moment. Was it Martin Mattner's desperate tackle on Danyle Pearce that turned a certain goal into a behind late in the final quarter?
Or was it dominant Port Adelaide forward Brett Ebert leaving the field with five minutes to play due to an ankle injury?
Perhaps the final term effort of Swans co-captain Brett Kirk was the difference. The skipper was magnificent in the clinches, finishing the day with 31 disposals and running himself, literally, into the ground.
Behind by 14 points at three-quarter time, Port Adelaide needed a positive start to the last term and it was provided, fittingly in Indigenous Round, by Peter Burgoyne and Motlop.
The pair's quick-fire goals in the opening minute brought the Power to within a kick and set up the thrilling finish for the 25,013 fans at AAMI Stadium.
The third quarter saw the match tighten up from the free-flowing contest it had been earlier.
Just one goal was kicked in the first 15 minutes and even that was the result of defensive pressure, when a sensational Robbie Gray tackle on Craig Bolton jarred the ball loose allowing Brett Ebert to gather his fifth goal for the afternoon.
The 14-goal, 36-minute first quarter seemed a long time ago.
But while the scoring had dried up, the contest was fierce, with every possession hard fought.
In the round when the AFL celebrates the role and contribution of indigenous Australians, it was Adam Goodes and Michael O'Loughlin who gave the Swans a seemingly decisive break.
After O'Loughlin goaled from a somewhat questionable free kick, Goodes broke away from the centre to deliver a perfect, spearing pass to his teammate and O'Loughlin had two in a minute.
Ebert, who completely dominated his opponent Leo Barry all afternoon, responded for Port with his sixth to bring the Power to within striking distance at the last change.
The first half, and first quarter in particular, were played with a vastly different philosophy.
After both teams missed guilt-edged opportunities in the opening moments, it was the Swans that settled the better, kicking the first two goals of the game and moving the footy with greater fluency through the middle of the ground.
Port Adelaide kept at the Swans, and through Ebert (six goals) and Warren Tredrea (three goals) were able to stay close without ever wresting the lead from the visiting team.
It was Sydney's spread of goalkickers -- the Swans finished the day with 10 -- that allowed them to maintain their two-goal advantage throughout the first half and, ultimately, the match.
Port Adelaide 6.1 9.5 11.7 14.10 (94)
Sydney Swans 8.1 11.4 13.9 16.9 (105)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Ebert 6, Tredrea 3, Motlop 2, Lade, Gray, P Burgoyne
Sydney Swans: Moore 3, O’Keefe 2, O’Loughlin 2, Buchanan 2, McVeigh 2, Kirk, Bevan, Bolton, Jolly, Schmidt
BEST
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Salopek, Cassisi, Brogan, Tredrea, K Cornes, Thurstans, Motlop, Lade
Sydney Swans: Moore, Kirk, Buchanan, Jack, Goodes, J Bolton, C Bolton
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Ebert (ankle)
Sydney Swans: Nil reported
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Rosebury, McInerney
Official crowd: 25,013 at AAMI Stadium
The views expressed in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or clubs.
