A Travis Boak masterclass has powered Port Adelaide to a thrilling two-point AFL victory and placed the Western Bulldogs’ top-four spot in jeopardy.
After conceding the first four goals of the game, Port rallied through star veteran Boak to control most of the contest at an empty Marvel Stadium, but only grabbed the lead in the dying stages.
Fellow experienced ace Robbie Gray kicked the clutch goal to put the Power in front with five minutes to go before they hung onto to win 9.12 (66) to 10.4 (64).
Bulldogs youngster Bailey Smith’s shot at goal with 10 seconds remaining was on target but was punched through for a behind by Port’s defenders to seal a famous victory for the Power.
After appearing on track to claim the minor premiership just a month ago, the Bulldogs will enter the finals on the back of three-straight defeats.
Luke Beveridge’s team will drop to fifth and lose their double chances in the finals if Brisbane defeat West Coast by about 24 points on Saturday.
Port now look likely to finish second and could host a home qualifying final at Adelaide Oval next weekend.
Boak’s two-goal, 31-possession effort will go down in the annals of Port’s history as he was the catalyst behind getting the Power going in such an important game.
Fellow midfielder Ollie Wines also lifed with a brilliant final three quarters, while Gray, Peter Ladhams and Connor Rozee joined Gray in kicking two goals each.
Key Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton was reported for a dangerous tackle on Port captain Tom Jonas during the third quarter but the incident looked likely to draw a financial penalty at worst for the 21-year-old.
Port’s night was soured somewhat with promising forward Mitch Georgiades subbed out with a hamstring injury, placing extreme doubt on his availability for the finals.
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
No matter how they did it, Port Adelaide have not lost in Melbourne this year.
Slick
Roar Rookie
Port looked the better team for the entirety of the second quarter and failed for something like 25 minutes to score a goal. Any lesser team would have conceded 5-6 goals in that period. Port also looked the better team for more than half of the third quarter and a long period of the fourth. The correct team won, but won by far too little to accurately reflect the dominance on field. If the doggies hadn't have kicked so straight all night the score could have been ugly.