The Power struggled to hit its stride opposed to a strong defensive challenge from a group of Bombers seeking to maintain touch with the top eight.
Even still, the Power reeled in a four-goal deficit late in the third quarter - a large margin by the nature of the game - to get within two points in the dying stages.
A scrambling goal to Kane Mitchell brought the game to under a goal with less than two minutes to play, but an inopportune passage of play on the wing and a fast rebound from the Bombers consigned Port Adelaide to its fourth loss for the season, and third in four weeks.
In a classic case of 'what could have been', the Power was left to rue its inaccuracy in front of goals as Essendon's defence made them earn every goal.
Equally, its ability to execute skills under pressure resulted in six goals from turnovers.
No less than eight rushed behinds and three hit posts told the story of the Power's night in front of goals as it produced just seven goals from 25 scoring opportunities.
Equally as damaging for the Power's attack was its inability to consistently hit a target inside 50 on several occasions.
The side could only manage two goals for the opening half – both through Coleman race leader Jay Schulz – as his fellow forwards found marking the slippery ball and winning it at ground level difficult.
The contrasting delivery to Essendon's forward 50 metres in the opening half was noticeable, and allowed Myers, Ryder and Ambrose to boot three crucial spacers for the visitors.
With little separating the two sides at stoppages, it was simply a case of the visitors making the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
While the Power was able to claw its way back into the game, it's daring attack on the contest was hampered by the conditions, allowing the Bombers to effect repeated multi-player tackles that helped keep any Port surge at bay.
Hamish Hartlett was probably the Power's most consistent performer throughout the night, while Robbie Gray was influential in pulling the Power back into the game.
Jay Schulz finished his night as the home side's best forward with three goals to inch ahead atop the goal kickers' race.
The result means, for the first time, Port Adelaide has posted two consecutive losses for the season.
It has a challenging run ahead of it, commencing with a road trip to Etihad Stadium next week to play an unpredictable Richmond fresh from a steady win over the Lions earlier on Saturday.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 2.8 4.14 7.18 (60) def by
ESSENDON 2.4 6.8 7.12 8.14 (62)
portadelaidefc.com.au's best
Hartlett, O'Shea, R. Gray, Polec, Schulz, Jonas
Goals
Schulz 3, White, R. Gray, Boak, Mitchell
Reports
Paul Chapman (Ess) reported by umpire McInerney for striking Robbie Gray in the first quarter
Substitute
Aaron Young replaced Dom Cassisi at three-quarter time
Crowd
46,786 at the Adelaide Oval
No less than eight rushed behinds and three hit posts told the story of the Power's night in front of goals as it produced just seven goals from 25 scoring opportunities.
Equally as damaging for the Power's attack was its inability to consistently hit a target inside 50 on several occasions.
The side could only manage two goals for the opening half – both through Coleman race leader Jay Schulz – as his fellow forwards found marking the slippery ball and winning it at ground level difficult.
The contrasting delivery to Essendon's forward 50 metres in the opening half was noticeable, and allowed Myers, Ryder and Ambrose to boot three crucial spacers for the visitors.
With little separating the two sides at stoppages, it was simply a case of the visitors making the most of their opportunities in front of goal.
While the Power was able to claw its way back into the game, it's daring attack on the contest was hampered by the conditions, allowing the Bombers to effect repeated multi-player tackles that helped keep any Port surge at bay.
Hamish Hartlett was probably the Power's most consistent performer throughout the night, while Robbie Gray was influential in pulling the Power back into the game.
Jay Schulz finished his night as the home side's best forward with three goals to inch ahead atop the goal kickers' race.
The result means, for the first time, Port Adelaide has posted two consecutive losses for the season.
It has a challenging run ahead of it, commencing with a road trip to Etihad Stadium next week to play an unpredictable Richmond fresh from a steady win over the Lions earlier on Saturday.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 2.8 4.14 7.18 (60) def by
ESSENDON 2.4 6.8 7.12 8.14 (62)
portadelaidefc.com.au's best
Hartlett, O'Shea, R. Gray, Polec, Schulz, Jonas
Goals
Schulz 3, White, R. Gray, Boak, Mitchell
Reports
Paul Chapman (Ess) reported by umpire McInerney for striking Robbie Gray in the first quarter
Substitute
Aaron Young replaced Dom Cassisi at three-quarter time
Crowd
46,786 at the Adelaide Oval
