The Power was unable to match the Crows intensity and ability to win 50/50 contests, nor manufacture brilliance close to goals at key points inside its attacking arc
Two attempts to goal by Chad Wingard bounced the wrong way in the second half, while livewire Robbie Gray shaved the back of the post with his own bouncing ball early in the first.
There were no miraculous goals for the Power this night.
Ultimately, Port Adelaide's early-game dominance was left unrewarded by inaccuracy in the second quarter, which squandered a genuine opportunity to put the Crows to the sword.
Showdown 37 was, instead, a tale of two halves for Port Adelaide, with the Power cleaner and more effective in the opening two terms.
But as the rain started to fall over the ground after half time, so too did the Power's edge.
Key contests went against the black, white and teal, and its defence - resilient and influential in establishing the Power's 10-point lead at the first two breaks - was hit hard by the loss of key leader Jackson Trengove at the beginning of the second half to an ankle injury.
In turn, the Crows stormed out to keep the Power to just a smattering of rushed behinds in a strong third quarter performance.
Things were little changed in the fourth quarter, despite Jay Schulz slotting his second for the evening early in the term.
The Power still had a sniff after consecutive majors to Polec and Ebert midway through the quarter, but with time ebbing away, Eddie Betts bobbed up for the Crows to kick two goals and dash the hopes of the 'visiting' side.
Despite the best efforts of midfielders Boak, Wines, Ebert and Robbie Gray, the Power's run was muted - and attack up forward blunted - as the game became more contested.
Their impact was muted as the Crows got on top of them around the ball, with Showdown Medallist Sam Jacobs influential in the ruck and booting three goals.
Down back, Jasper Pittard stood tall with a remarkable 95% disposal efficiency as a tough and ambitious rebound defender, while Alipate Carlile kept Taylor Walker quiet for most of the night.
The 23-point loss slides Port Adelaide to second place on the ladder, beaten by Hawthorn's percentage and only a whisker ahead of the resurgent Sydney Swans.
That precarious position in the top four makes upcoming matches against Essendon (Adelaide Oval), Richmond (Etihad Stadium) and Melbourne (Adelaide Oval), even more important for the Power.
More to come...
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 5.3 7.10 7.14 10.16 (76)
ADELAIDE CROWS 3.5 6.6 9.12 14.15 (99)
portadelaidefc.com.au’s best
Boak, Pittard, Wines, Ebert, R. Gray, Carlile, Cornes
Goals
Polec 3, Schulz 2, Hartlett, White, Boak, Westhoff
Injuries
Trengove (ankle)
Substitute
Kane Mitchell replaced Jackson Trengove in the third quarter
Crowd
50,552 at Adelaide Oval
Showdown Medal
Sam Jacobs (Adl)
There were no miraculous goals for the Power this night.
Ultimately, Port Adelaide's early-game dominance was left unrewarded by inaccuracy in the second quarter, which squandered a genuine opportunity to put the Crows to the sword.
Showdown 37 was, instead, a tale of two halves for Port Adelaide, with the Power cleaner and more effective in the opening two terms.
But as the rain started to fall over the ground after half time, so too did the Power's edge.
Key contests went against the black, white and teal, and its defence - resilient and influential in establishing the Power's 10-point lead at the first two breaks - was hit hard by the loss of key leader Jackson Trengove at the beginning of the second half to an ankle injury.
In turn, the Crows stormed out to keep the Power to just a smattering of rushed behinds in a strong third quarter performance.
Things were little changed in the fourth quarter, despite Jay Schulz slotting his second for the evening early in the term.
The Power still had a sniff after consecutive majors to Polec and Ebert midway through the quarter, but with time ebbing away, Eddie Betts bobbed up for the Crows to kick two goals and dash the hopes of the 'visiting' side.
Despite the best efforts of midfielders Boak, Wines, Ebert and Robbie Gray, the Power's run was muted - and attack up forward blunted - as the game became more contested.
Their impact was muted as the Crows got on top of them around the ball, with Showdown Medallist Sam Jacobs influential in the ruck and booting three goals.
Down back, Jasper Pittard stood tall with a remarkable 95% disposal efficiency as a tough and ambitious rebound defender, while Alipate Carlile kept Taylor Walker quiet for most of the night.
The 23-point loss slides Port Adelaide to second place on the ladder, beaten by Hawthorn's percentage and only a whisker ahead of the resurgent Sydney Swans.
That precarious position in the top four makes upcoming matches against Essendon (Adelaide Oval), Richmond (Etihad Stadium) and Melbourne (Adelaide Oval), even more important for the Power.
More to come...
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 5.3 7.10 7.14 10.16 (76)
ADELAIDE CROWS 3.5 6.6 9.12 14.15 (99)
portadelaidefc.com.au’s best
Boak, Pittard, Wines, Ebert, R. Gray, Carlile, Cornes
Goals
Polec 3, Schulz 2, Hartlett, White, Boak, Westhoff
Injuries
Trengove (ankle)
Substitute
Kane Mitchell replaced Jackson Trengove in the third quarter
Crowd
50,552 at Adelaide Oval
Showdown Medal
Sam Jacobs (Adl)
