PORT Adelaide has won a thrilling match at the MCG against the Demons by five points in a controversial finish.

In front of a crowd of just over 16,000 – the lowest of any Melbourne crowd this year – the Power held on for a narrow win having been in front for most of the day.

A goal to Melbourne’s Aaron Davey in the last minutes of play, which would have given the Demons a one-point lead, was disallowed because of an infringement by David Neitz on Darryl Wakelin, and the Power held on for a five-point victory.

It was Port Adelaide’s first win over the Demons at the MCG, but came with some cost after Kane Cornes was carried off on a stretcher during the final quarter.

Cornes, and brother Chad, were influential through the midfield, along with Danyle Pearce and Peter Burgoyne. However as the match wore on it was the Power’s defence which held firm.

The match started slowly, with Warren Tredrea kicking the game’s first goal after grabbing the loose ball close to the goalsquare.

With Kane Cornes and Nathan Lonie leading the way in the midfield, Brett Ebert followed up by gathering a ball that flew over a pack, and running into an open goal.

However, Port Adelaide wasted several opportunities going forward and after the Demons hit back through Nathan Brown and David Neitz, the margin was extended to nine points at quarter time when Danyle Pearce kicked his first goal.

The battle between Neitz and Darryl Wakelin continued in the second quarter, with Neitz presenting consistently up forward. Neitz put the Demons in front with a snap from the forward pocket, after Adem Yze kicked the first goal of the quarter in the first minute.

The Power rallied through Pearce, who kicked truly after Nathan Krakouer dashed down the wing. But when Wakelin’s attempted kick out of defence slid off the side of his boot, Matthew Bate pounced, putting the Demons in front once again. The resulting centre bounce saw a perfect pass from Pearce to Daniel Motlop, with the lead changing again.

The tough one-on-one contests continued all over the ground, with the Power’s lead increasing after a diving mark to Krakouer, and a classy goal from Shaun Burgoyne who was well held by Simon Godfrey.

From there, the plucky Demons fought hard, with Bate roosting his second goal on the run from outside 50 metres. But Melbourne didn’t take all their chances, with second-gamer Ricky Petterd and Colin Sylvia both missing gettable chances, bringing the margin at half-time to seven points, 7.7 (49) to 6.6 (42).

In a tough, tense third quarter, the Power started to lose the midfield battle. The Cornes’ brothers had 34 possessions between them to half-time, but Melbourne had most of the traffic through the midfield, putting constant pressure on Port Adelaide’s defence.

But the Demons couldn’t capitalise, kicking 2.6 for the quarter. When Pearce snapped after a forward pocket throw-in, the Power were in front by five points, and with a goal to Tredrea after a free kick, the margin stayed at five points at three-quarter time.

The Demons leveled the scores at 66 apiece early in the final quarter, with a mark and goal to Nathan Jones. The Power was looking tired compared to a spirited Melbourne, who appeared hungry for their first win of the season.

A stream of behinds followed from both teams, with slow scoring and ineffective disposals. Damon White was unlucky to miss after a snap shot, kicked while being dragged down in a tackle, bounced behind the post at the last instant.

The drama increased when play was halted after Kane Cornes was carried off the ground on a stretcher after a Byron Pickett tackle.

Snap shots from Melbourne’s Lynden Dunn and Krakouer followed, and Neitz hit the post from a tight angle. With players going to great lengths to keep possession, Daniel Motlop stepped up, taking a good mark then baulking Jeff White to goal on the run from a tight angle.

A minute later, Melbourne’s Aaron Davey kicked along the ground through the goals, giving the Demons a one-point lead, but the score was disallowed because of an infringement by Neitz on Wakelin, giving the Power a hard-fought five-point victory.

PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 7.7 9.11 10.16 (76)
MELBOURNE 2.1 6.6 8.12 9.17 (71)

Goals: Port Adelaide: D Pearce 3 W Tredrea 2 D Motlop 2 S Burgoyne N Krakouer B Ebert. Melbourne: N Jones 2 M Bate 2 D Neitz 2 A Yze N Brown M Warnock.

Best: Port Adelaide: C Cornes K Cornes P Burgoyne B Lade D Pearce. Melbourne: M Bate A Yze L Dunn A Davey N Brown J McDonald S Godfrey.

Injuries: Port Adelaide: K Cornes (concussion), T Chaplin (foot). Melbourne: B Pickett (lacerated ear).

Reports: Nil.

Official Crowd: 16,266 at the MCG.

Umpires: L Farmer C Hendrie S Ryan.