Port Adelaide unleashed a stunning late charge to overwhelm West Coast by five points on Saturday night to remain unbeaten in the AFL.
The Power were 41 points down midway through the third quarter but won 12.12 (84) to 10.19 (79) at AAMI Stadium.
West Coast’s prime mover Matt Priddis was knocked out in the fourth minute and didn’t return, and their skipper Darren Glass was reported.
But the Eagles, with Josh Kennedy booting four goals, were cruising when almost seven goals ahead some 13 minutes into the third term.
Port’s emerging star Chad Wingard then sparked a comeback as the Power kicked eight of the last nine goals of the game for a fifth consecutive win.
Wingard, Angus Monfries, captain Travis Boak and Hamish Hartlett each kicked two goals.
Boak’s brace came within 90 seconds and gave Port the lead – for the first time in the game – 11 minutes into the last term.
Eagle Brad Dalziell replied to restore a two-point break for the visitors.
But Port recruit Monfries capped a spirited comeback, running into an open goal in the 19th minute and his side held on until the siren.
West Coast lost Priddis in the fourth minute, the key on-baller having his arms pinned in a Monfries tackle and crashing, face first, into the turf.
He didn’t return, and skipper Glass was booked in the second term for a late shirtfront which stunned Port’s Paul Stewart.
Stewart disposed of the ball and was struck by a late front-on hit from Glass, though the Power player wasn’t forced from the field.
The incidents came as the Eagles streeted to a 38-point halftime lead on Kennedy’s back.
The elusive forward threaded four set shots, though teammates missed others as only inaccurate goal shooting – 7.13 – kept Port in it.
The Power mustered only 2.5 in their dismal opening half, despite Kane Cornes gathering 15 touches to halftime in his 250th game.
Port’s losing fate appeared sealed when Chris Masten goalled in the third to give West Coast a 41-point advantage.
But Power livewire Wingard sparked the tremendous comeback as the Eagles slumped to their fourth loss in five starts this season.
