PORT Adelaide produced its biggest come back of the season against Glenelg on Friday night, as it turned a six-goal deficit into a thrilling one-point victory.
A last gasp goal from Jack Haarsma with 40 seconds to go put the Magpies in front by two points, but a late charge by the Bays saw Milera only narrowly miss his shot for goal.
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Glenelg had the numbers in attack as Tom Clurey took the kick out, but a courageous one-armed mark from Karl Amon under pressure saved the Magpies from defeat.
Ben Sawford led from the front the entire match in his best performance for Port Adelaide in the SANFL.
Sawford finished with 40 disposals, 14 clearances, six tackles, nine inside-50s, four goals and two defensive rebounds.
It followed the 21-year-old's strong performance against North last week, where he ended the match on 31 disposals.
Matt Lobbe responded well to his first run for the Magpies this season, finishing with 64 hit outs and six clearances.
Bays control early game
The Magpies entered the match without two big forwards in Mason Shaw and John Butcher, while Sean Davidson was rewarded for his consistency in the Academy side with his League debut.
Both sides went goal-for-goal early in the first term and the Magpies were led up forward by Billy Frampton and Sawford.
But ill-disciplined free kicks and lapses in defensive pressure allowed Glenelg's midfielders to run free.
Tiger forward Clint Alleway booted three goals to give Glenelg a 26-point lead at the first break and looked poised to single-handedly win his team the match.
The Bays continued to beat the Magpies with their hard attack on both ball and body as wrestling matches broke out on several occasions around the ground.
The Magpies dominated hit-outs and clearances, but couldn’t hold possession and make the most of its opportunities in attack.
Conversely, Glenelg took full advantage of its chances and ran hard off half-back as Port Adelaide continued to cough up possession.
Alleway's fourth goal of the night pushed the Bays out to a 30-point lead and a Magpies' major had not been scored for nearly 30 minutes.
But in the 22 minute of the second term, Sawford managed to get boot to a bouncing ball in the goal square and kicked started the Magpies' fight back.
The Magpies lifted their intensity to start the second half and their hard work was rewarded with several goals to close the gap within two straight kicks at the final change.
Summerton, as he has done all year, helped push his side over the line and booted a crucial goal off the back of pressure from the half forwards to put Port in front for the first time.
A gripping finish
With the momentum stemming the way of Port Adelaide after half time, the Magpies looked poised to close the game with plenty of run, but the Bays weren’t finished and hit back with two quick goals and got back out to a 12-point advantage.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Magpies swung the game back in their favour with a goal to Young before a hard running passage from the centre helped Haarsma get on the end of his second league goal to give Port the lead with just seconds left on the clock.
Port qualifies, but battle goes on
While Port Adelaide is now booked for the first week of finals, the win also strengthens its push for a top three finish.
The Magpies sit second on the ladder with games between South and West to end the round on Saturday to weigh heavily on the narrative playing into the final two rounds.
Port Adelaide will play both those teams in the final two rounds, and will need to win both in order to guarantee a top-three spot, and the double chance.
The Magpies will play South Adelaide at Alberton on Saturday 22 August at 2.10pm, followed by the season-ender against West Adelaide on Sunday 30 August at 2:10pm.
LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.0 5.4 9.8 14.11 (95)
GLENELG 7.2 10.6 11.7 14.10 (94)
GOALS
Sawford 4, Frampton, Stewart 2, Young 2, Lobbe, Sharrad, Summerton, Haarsma
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Sawford, Summerton, Young, Stewart, Haarsma
INJURIES
Moore (foot)
ACADEMY REPORT
Earlier in the afternoon, Port Adelaide's Academy side was outclassed by Glenelg's reserves to the tune of 75 points.
The Magpies failed to stitch up second spot and allowed Glenelg too much breathing space around the ground.
Fighting for a spot in the top five, Glenelg was ruthless with its attack on the ball and controlled the stoppages.
It was the six-goal-to-three second quarter however that set up the win for the Bays.
Despite the loss, the Magpies have enough games to ensure a finals berth in the SANFL reserves, but will look to bounce back against South Adelaide next weekend.
ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 0.1 3.1 4.2 6.5 (41)
GLENELG 4.3 10.8 13.11 17.14 (116)
GOALS
Reynolds 3, Northeast 2, Gordon
