MELBOURNE'S disappointing season has concluded with a narrow loss to Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The Demons narrowly led the contest at the first two breaks, but the Power surged home to secure the victory by eight points.
The win means Port Adelaide avoided its first wooden spoon and farewelled retiring ruckman Dean Brogan in style.
The Power led by 12 points at three-quarter time of the see-sawing match, but had to withstand a challenge from the Demons in the final term.
The visitors kicked the first three goals of the last quarter to snatch the lead, and put doubt into the minds of the Port Adelaide players, who capitulated in the final term against Essendon last weekend.
But, buoyed by a vocal home crowd, the Power responded.
Midfielder Travis Boak regained the lead for his team with his second goal for the day, and two final-quarter majors to match-winner Justin Westhoff (four goals) saw Port Adelaide hang on and record only its third win of the season 17.10 (112) to 15.14 (104).
The win snapped an 11-game losing steak for the Power, and relegated newcomers Gold Coast to the bottom of the AFL ladder.
Neither team was able to get more than three goals ahead during the tight contest, with the margin in single figures at both quarter-time and half-time.
The Demons finished the match with 11 more inside 50s and two more scoring shots than Port Adelaide, but paid the price for their inaccuracy (7.11) in the first half.
Port Adelaide's charge was led by forgotten men Steven Salopek (26 possessions), Daniel Motlop (23 possessions) and Brett Ebert, who finished with three goals from 21 possessions in his 150th game.
Brent Moloney starred for Melbourne, gathering a game-high 35 possessions and nine clearances.
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Port Adelaide: Brett Ebert finished a tough 2011 season on a positive note, booting three goals and registering a match-high 129 points in game number 150.
Melbourne: Jordie McKenzie produced one of his best performances in his young career, finishing with 20 disposals and 118 DT points. A regrettable mention must go to Sam Blease, who was subbed out in the third term after giving away five free kicks and managing -4 points.
Quarter by Quarter
First quarter
With both clubs languishing in the bottom half of the AFL ladder, the Demons and Power could've been forgiven for just going through the motions. Instead, both teams battled ferociously early. Cale Morton wrote himself into the record books as the first AFL goalkicker at Adelaide Oval as the 21-year-old waltzed into open goal. Port nailed the quick reply through Brett Ebert in his 150th game, but missed opportunities hurt the Power. The Demons assumed control with Brent Moloney (12 disposals) and Jack Trengove (nine) the major protagonists. A crunching Brad Green tackle on Steven Salopek eventually handed Nathan Jones a goal as Melbourne pushed to an 11-point lead in the dying stages. But a magnificent 55m torpedo from Travis Boak after the siren cut the margin back to four points at the first change.
Melbourne by four points
Second quarter
Port hit the lead for the first time after Ebert bounced through his second goal in the opening minutes. The Power veteran then added a third after a gutsy chase and tackle by Robbie Gray on the eastern wing. Fellow milestone-man Stefan Martin also looked dangerous in his 50th game, squeezing through Melbourne's first for the quarter. But the Demons were wasteful with their forward-50 entries, with misses to Martin and McDonald giving Port a sniff. Consecutive goals then followed to Westhoff, Rodan and Gray as the Power galloped to a game-high 17-point advantage at the 21-minute mark. But, in a story all-too-familiar for Power fans this season, the opposition was able to fight its way back into the contest a little too easily. The Demons found goals through Brad Green, Matthew Bate and Mark Jamar to remain ahead by the barest of margins.
Melbourne by one point
Third quarter
The match remained an arm wrestle in a hotly-contested third term. Melbourne fired the first shot through hard-nut Nathan Jones but Daniel Motlop, in his last game in a Power jumper, kicked a vintage goal moments later on the run from 50m to keep Port in it. The match was begging for someone to stand up and take the game by the throat, as momentum continued to swing either way. Motlop looked the most likely, with a deft touch to Salopek setting up a team-lifting goal late in the term. Port stretched the margin out to 18 points after Schulz converted his set shot, but a last-gasp score from Jack Trengove, drifting in front of the pack, kept the Demons in touch.
Port Adelaide by 12 points
Fourth quarter
The game deserved a grandstand finish, and both teams gave it their all in their final outing for 2011. Nearly 30,000 people were treated to a fantastic final-quarter struggle, with Travis Boak providing another highlight after a classy left-foot goal to keep Port Adelaide ahead by a point with less than 10 minutes remaining. Justin Westhoff was the hero for Port Adelaide, slotting two late goals to give Port some breathing space. Dean Brogan finished his career with a bombing pass to understudy Matthew Lobbe in the goalsquare in a nice finishing touch for the retiring veteran. But Melbourne refused to quit and made a late charge, with goals to Martin and Green. In the end, it was too little too late, as the Power held on to record their third win of the season and narrowly avoid the wooden spoon.
Port Adelaide by eight points
Match details
Port Adelaide 3.2 8.4 13.6 17.10 (112)
Melbourne 3.6 7.11 10.12 15.14 (104)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Westhoff 4, Ebert 3, Rodan 2, Boak 2, Banner, Gray, Motlop, Butcher, Salopek, Schulz
Melbourne: Jones 2, McKenzie 2, Green 2, Martin 2, Morton, Bate, Jamar, Trengove, Howe, Jetta, Fitzpatrick
BEST
Port Adelaide: Westhoff, Gray, Boak, Ebert, Motlop, Salopek, Rodan
Melbourne: Moloney, Trengove, McKenzie, Jones, Howe, Bate
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Surjan (right calf), Butcher (groin)
Melbourne: Blease (head knock)
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Jacob Surjan replaced by Tom Jonas in the third quarter Melbourne: Sam Blease replaced by Luke Tapscott in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stewart, Ryan, Schmitt
Official crowd: 29,340 at AAMI Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL
