The Crows threatened to run away with the game, kicking four goals to the Power's none in the first term, but managed only two majors after half time to be steamrolled by 32 points, 14.14 (98) to 9.12 (66).
The Adelaide players, desperate to atone for a dismal showing against Fremantle last weekend, were first to the ball in the opening term and applied strong defensive pressure when they didn’t have possession.
Port Adelaide gifted the Crows two goals from turnovers in its defensive half and couldn't find targets going forward.
The Power appeared set for a fourth straight defeat when Taylor Walker and Shaun McKernan extended Adelaide's 27-point quarter-time lead early in the second term.
However, they reversed the momentum with three goals in the space of five minutes midway through the term and a late goal to Robbie Gray cut the margin to nine points at the main change.
The small but vocal AAMI Stadium crowd prepared for the tense second half that has become typical of the Showdown rivalry, but it didn't eventuate.
David Rodan broke the game open, kicking two goals and setting up another for Daniel Motlop in the third term as the Power piled on five unanswered goals.
Any hope of a final-quarter resurgence from the Crows was snuffed out when midfielder Steven Salopek slipped forward to kick the sealing goal early in the last term.
Influential players
Rodan provided the x-factor in the third quarter, but forward Justin Westhoff was easily the Power's best player across the four quarters. The lanky goalkicker gathered 24 possessions, 10 marks and kicked two goals to snare the Showdown Medal for best on ground.
Midfielder Scott Thompson inspired Adelaide's strong start, picking up nine possessions and a goal in the first term, and continued to fight after the match had swung Port Adelaide's way, finishing with 32 touches and a game-high 10 tackles.
What it meansPort Adelaide suddenly has an opportunity to build some momentum and resurrect its season, with games against Gold Coast and North Melbourne to come.
The injury-hit Crows will be hopeful of regaining Scott Stevens, Michael Doughty and Richard Tambling for their clash with Carlton at Etihad Stadium next week, but it looks like a tough two weeks ahead.
The next four
Port Adelaide: Gold Coast (AAMI Stadium), North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium), Hawthorn (AAMI Stadium), Sydney Swans (SCG)
Adelaide: Carlton (Etihad Stadium), St Kilda (AAMI Stadium), Melbourne (MCG), Gold Coast (AAMI Stadium)
Dream Team highlight
Port Adelaide: Westhoff's dominance was reflected in the Dream Team points. The Power forward racked up 113 points, six more than midfielder Travis Boak (107).
Adelaide: For the second week in a row Scott Thompson (141 points) tried to carry the Crows on his back. Brad Symes was the next-best scorer on the ground with 122 points.
What the coaches said
Matthew Primus (Port Adelaide): "To bounce back especially after the start we had showed a bit of character. I just thought we were panicking [in the first quarter]. We made some poor decisions and we gifted them [the Crows] four or five shots at goal. We aren't a good enough team yet to be able to give opposition teams goals on a plate."
Neil Craig (Adelaide): "In the end we just got bulldozed out of the way. I thought we started well. Our first quarter-and-a-half was at the level we want to play at as a team, but then Port lifted as well and in the end we capitulated. We saw some signs early that we liked, but at the moment our capacity to maintain for four quarters is a fair way off."
Key match-up
The Crows' defence was decimated during the week, with Phil Davis and Stevens joining Doughty on the injury list. Luke Thompson was given the job on Westhoff, but an ankle injury minimised his effectiveness and Westhoff was able to roam freely between the wing and half-forward.
Magic moment
Daniel Motlop was credited with the first goal of the match-defining third quarter, but it was Rodan who made it possible. The elusive onballer tiptoed along the goal line, weaving through several opponents before dishing off the handball to Motlop.
Port Adelaide 0.3 6.6 11.7 14.14 (98)
Adelaide 4.6 7.9 7.11 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Rodan 4, Motlop 2, Westhoff 2, Gray 2, Surjan, C. Cornes, O'Shea, Salopek
Adelaide: Walker 2, S. Thompson, Jaensch, L. Thompson, Tippett, McKernan, Douglas, Vince
BEST
Port Adelaide: Westhoff, Rodan, Brogan, Boak, Chaplin, Pittard
Adelaide: S. Thompson, van Berlo, Rutten, Douglas
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: None
Adelaide: None
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Jacob Surjan replaced by Cameron Hitchcock in the third quarter
Adelaide: Ivan Maric replaced by Matthew Wright in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bowen, Wenn, Pannell
Official crowd: 33,143 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
