The Hawks drop to fourth spot with the loss, level on pointswith the Kangaroos and Collingwood with 12 wins. They play the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome next Sunday and the Swans at the SCG in round 22 in a bid to keep their top-four spot.
Hawthorn had looked in control for much ofthe day, after halting a rampant Power in the first quarter and holding them goallessfor a quarter and a half.
Clinton Young (25 possessions), ChanceBateman (25) and Jordan Lewis (19) were all good for the Hawks, but all wereleft ruing a game that simply got away.
Both sides threw everything at each other ina pulsating final term, which Hawthorn began with a 16-point lead.
The Power booted the first two goalsagainst the breeze in quick time to cut the deficit to just three points beforethe Hawks rallied and again looked to be in a winning position.
Young and Ben Dixon’s majors restored a 13-pointlead, but Port Adelaide wasn’t done, with Kane Cornes marking in the goalsquare and reducing the margin to seven points.
Daniel Motlop’s mark and goal cut the gapto one point at the 27-minute mark before Ebert proved the hero for the Power.
Port Adelaidedominated much of the first term and could have led by more than 16 points atthe first change had it not been for some inaccuracy in front of the sticks.
After Dixon(three goals) gave the Hawks an ideal start inside 30 seconds, Chad Cornes didvirtually as he pleased as the two teams traded goals for the next 15 minutes.
But midway through the term Port Adelaidegained the ascendancy, and some turnovers coming out of defence proved costlyfor the Hawks.
Roughead took a strong mark and kicked asteadying goal late in the term, but the Power responded with the final majorof the quarter to open up a handy break at the first change.
It was the Hawks’ turn to waste theirchances in the second term as they enjoyed the aid of a slight breeze.
Lance Franklin, unsighted in the openingstanza, made the most of a free kick three minutes in to narrow the margin,although some wayward shots on goal looked like cruelling his team’s chances.
But when Roughead and Ben McGlynn steeredthrough majors, the Hawks were back in front.
Bateman continued to get his hands to itwhile Clinton Young was also providing significant drive through the middle.
Rick Ladson’s good vision gave Roughheadhis third for the afternoon and Hawthorn a little breathing space heading intothe long break, as the Hawks had booted four goals to none for the term to lead8.4 to 6.8 at half time.
One thought Port might have needed to maketheir charge in the third term – when they again had the breeze – but Hawthornheld firm.
In fact the Hawks doubled their half-timeadvantage to 16 points, booting two goals to one into a wind that appeared tobe stiffening.
Franklin and Dixonboth kicked truly either side of a Power goal and with those majors, most atthe ground believed the Hawks were out of danger. It was not to be.
Hawthorn 4.0 8.4 10.9 12.10 (82)
Port Adelaide 6.4 6.8 7.11 12.15(87)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Dixon 3, Roughead 3, Franklin2, Hodge, Lewis, McGlynn, Young
Port Adelaide: K Cornes 3, Motlop 3, SBurgoyne, Ebert, Lade, Pearce, Salopek, Westhoff
BEST
Hawthorn: Young,Bateman, Croad, Roughead, Mitchell, Crawford, Gilham
Port Adelaide: K Cornes, P Burgoyne, Pearce,Motlop, Cassisi, Thomson, C Cornes, Chaplin, Boak
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Motlop(Port Adelaide) reported by emergency umpire R Chamberlain for wrestling Hodge(Hawthorn) in the third quarter. Hodge (Hawthorn) reported by emergency umpireR Chamberlain for wrestling Motlop (Port Adelaide) in the third quarter.
Umpires: D Goldspink S Meredith M Stevic
Official Crowd: 15,264 at Aurora Stadium
