But despite a late surge from a visiting Power side that had trailed at every change, it was two late goals to Lance Franklin - a bomb from beyond 50 metres and a crafty chip from the pocket - that gave the Swans breathing space sufficient to hold on to the win.
VOTE IN THE FANS' MVP
The result put to rest the Power's eight-game winning run and confirmed the Swans premiership credentials after restraining almost every attempted push through the middle by Port late in the final quarter.
Port had chances to reduce the margin in the dying stages of the game, but as the Swans pushed numbers around the ball the game was swiftly transformed into a rugby maul around stoppages.
Yet, true to form, the Power took every opportunity it was presented in the dying minutes of the game and found Jay Schulz in front of goals with a gutsy mark to get within five points of the Swans with 17 seconds left on the clock.
Brad Ebert, brilliant all day with 40 touches, won the final clearance to help set up the final push forward in vain as a Swans fist punched the ball through the goal, and with it Port's hopes of a last-gasp victory.
It was a remarkable finish to a game that saw both sides put body on the line in a tough contested battle.
The Swans led by two goals at the first change, and would have by more if not for inaccurate shots on goal.
The Power, in contrast, was unable to find clean possession in the opening quarter and coughed up several opportunities.
Both teams struggled to kick accurately throughout the day - sharing 30 behinds by the close of play - but also gave some genuinely impressive plays to excite the largest crowd at the SCG in a decade.
Port Adelaide's best work came in response to its slow start when Monfries, Wingard and White combined in the early stages of the second term to chalk up three important goals.
And there were other jobs done around the ground too - with Kane Cornes suffocating Sydney ball-winner Dan Hannebery to 10 touches in the first three quarters, while Impey was solid on Lewis Jetta in the first half.
But it was Lance Franklin who seized the initiative in the second half, with his five goals, often kicked while eluding Port's defence, critical for keeping the Swans at arm's length.
Port Adelaide next plays the Western Bulldogs at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday June 21.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 1.2 6.5 9.10 13.16 (94)
SYDNEY SWANS 2.8 6.12 11.13 14.14 (98)
portadelaidefc.com.au’s best
Ebert, R. Gray, Boak, Broadbent, Wines, Lobbe
Goals
Schulz 4, Monfries 3 White, Wingard 2, Ebert, Westhoff
Injuries
Hartlett (TBC)
Substitution
Aaron Young replaced Hamish Hartlett in the third quarter
Crowd
41,317 at the SCG
