Watch Justin Westhoff's first quarter snap on PTV above. Can't see the video? Watch on YouTube.
Caretaker coach Garry Hocking made a late change to the Power with Darren Pfeiffer replacing Daniel Stewart.
First quarter
In a critical match for the Port Adelaide playing group on the back of one of the toughest weeks of the club’s history, the Power responded from the outset of the match with a hard, passionate display of contested football.
Playing an attractive brand of football in the first part of the term, Port Adelaide’s midfielders and forwards combined to set up the first two goals of the game.
Matthew Broadbent kicked a quick goal on the run to draw first blood for the Power - the result of some clean ball usage reminiscent of Port’s start to the year.
An excellent set up from Matt Thomas provided Brett Ebert with a shot directly in front of goals and the elder statesman of the club provided the Power’s second of the game.
[ Watch it: Ebert's great start ]
It was some Port Adelaide football to stir the nostalgia of years past with a determined, attacking style pushing the Power forward.
David Rodan got involved in his first game back since Round 14 and the entire midfield group, particularly Travis Boak, Kane Cornes and Brad Ebert helped set up a number of goals.
Justin Westhoff also seemed to thrive with a free running role and snapped the Power’s third from the right forward pocket.
It was some Port Adelaide football to stir the nostalgia of years past with a determined, attacking style pushing the Power forward.
David Rodan got involved in his first game back since Round 14 and the entire midfield group, particularly Travis Boak, Kane Cornes and Brad Ebert helped set up a number of goals.
Justin Westhoff also seemed to thrive with a free running role and snapped the Power’s third from the right forward pocket.
Unfortunately Jay Schulz, Westhoff and Danyle Pearce rued further opportunities to kick Port well ahead on the scoreboard with set shots and close-in snaps returning only three behinds.
The Hawks’ first major came through Jack Gunston from a free kick conceded by Port debutant Nathan Blee directly in front of goals.
Despite the major, the Power has demonstrated a resolve to push the premiership contenders and maintains a 13 point lead at quarter time.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 3.4 (22) leads
Disposals: Pearce 9, Boak 8, Westhoff 7
Second quarter
Port Adelaide’s squandered opportunities in front of goal came back to bite in the second term as Hawthorn hit its strides and kicked away.
The Power were left searching as the Hawks booted seven unanswered goals.
Not for want of trying, Port Adelaide was simply left behind as the premiership favourites won the centre clearances and fed the ball forward quickly and efficiently.
Coming into the game, the key for the Power was to show a physical presence and that it did - continually heaping pressure on the Hawks’ ball carriers - but it was the silky skills of the home side that greatly aided their cause.
Although the Power brought a physical came, it was let down in the second term by its skills work with its kicking in stark contrast to the Hawks with poor foot delivery often turning the ball over and setting up the opposition.
Brett Ebert and Jay Schulz had opportunities to convert goals and steady the ship but went begging as kicks crossed the face of goal.
Hamish Hartlett was a rock in defensive 50 for Port as he toiled hard to stop the flow of eight consecutive Hawks goals.
Jay Schulz and Travis Boak steadied the Power on the back end of the term to nudge the visitors’ score upward and trail by just 26 points at the main break.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 5.7 (37) trails
The Hawks’ first major came through Jack Gunston from a free kick conceded by Port debutant Nathan Blee directly in front of goals.
Despite the major, the Power has demonstrated a resolve to push the premiership contenders and maintains a 13 point lead at quarter time.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 3.4 (22) leads
Hawthorn 1.3 (9)
Goals: Westhoff, Brett Ebert, Broadbent
Goals: Westhoff, Brett Ebert, Broadbent
Stats
Disposals: Pearce 9, Boak 8, Westhoff 7
Marks: Westhoff 4, Logan, Pfeiffer 3
Hitouts: Lobbe 2
Tackles: Cornes 3, Cassisi 2
Dreamteam: Westhoff 43, Cassisi 26, Cornes 25
Port Adelaide’s squandered opportunities in front of goal came back to bite in the second term as Hawthorn hit its strides and kicked away.
The Power were left searching as the Hawks booted seven unanswered goals.
Not for want of trying, Port Adelaide was simply left behind as the premiership favourites won the centre clearances and fed the ball forward quickly and efficiently.
Coming into the game, the key for the Power was to show a physical presence and that it did - continually heaping pressure on the Hawks’ ball carriers - but it was the silky skills of the home side that greatly aided their cause.
Although the Power brought a physical came, it was let down in the second term by its skills work with its kicking in stark contrast to the Hawks with poor foot delivery often turning the ball over and setting up the opposition.
Brett Ebert and Jay Schulz had opportunities to convert goals and steady the ship but went begging as kicks crossed the face of goal.
Hamish Hartlett was a rock in defensive 50 for Port as he toiled hard to stop the flow of eight consecutive Hawks goals.
Jay Schulz and Travis Boak steadied the Power on the back end of the term to nudge the visitors’ score upward and trail by just 26 points at the main break.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 5.7 (37) trails
Hawthorn 9.9 (63)
Goals: Boak, Schulz, Westhoff, Brett Ebert, Broadbent
Goals: Boak, Schulz, Westhoff, Brett Ebert, Broadbent
Disposals: Pearce, Boak 15, Cornes 12
Marks: Westhoff, Trengove 5
Hitouts: Lobbe 6, Redden 5
Tackles: Cassisi 5, Cornes 3
After being shown up in the second quarter by Hawthorn, Port Adelaide responded from the first bounce of the second half with Jay Schulz marking solidly directly in front of goal to peg one back for the Power.
The Hawks responded as quickly however, with a quick clearance setting up Clinton Young with a goal to draw the gap back to the 26 points it was at half time.
Goals were traded between the two sides as Brad Ebert responded for Port Adelaide before the Hawks again brought the margin back out through Breust.
Matthew Broadbent crumbed successfully to ‘shin’ the football centimetres forward and kick his second (and Port’s third) for the quarter, but for everything the Power offered up, the Hawks had a response.
Hale and Breust kicked truly for Hawthorn to build a lead back up, but an impeccable centre clearance from Matt Lobbe and Travis Boak helped set up Jay Schulz with his second goal for the afternoon.
A lucky free kick against the Hawks inside their attacking 50 saw Port Adelaide back on the front foot as David Rodan set up Brett Ebert to kick a fantastic second goal.
Port Adelaide has won two of the three terms, including the third, and trails by 21 points at the final change.
Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 10.9 (69) leads
Hawthorn 13.12 (90)
Goals: Brett Ebert Schulz, Broadbent 2, Brad Ebert, Boak, Westhoff
Fourth quarter
A late pair of goals put the momentum squarely in Port Adelaide’s corner for the final term and they made sure it counted.
Holding the Hawks repeated inside 50s back with some solid defensive pressure and benefitting from the home side’s missed goals, the Power worked forward again to set up Brett Ebert.
His kick was off course but at the drop of the ball was Paul Stewart who curled the ball in from a tight angle to reduce the deficit to 17 points.
But Hawthorn again responded and clinically dismantled the Power's momentum with another goal rush.
Encouragingly, the Port midfield continued to fight hard midway through the term and rebounded well from defensive fifty to deliver ruckman Matt Lobbe his first goal for the afternoon.
But despite keeping in touch for the early stages of the fourth Port Adelaide was left watching the clean heels of their opponents as Hawthorn proceeded to break the game open chiefly through Puopolo and Hale.
The Hawks eventually ran the game out 72 point winners on the back of their goal that often left Port Adelaide caught out by Hawthorn’s small crumbers.
Final Scoreboard
Goals: Schulz 4, Brett Ebert, Broadbent 2, Lobbe, Brad Ebert, Boak, Westhoff
Sub: McCarthy in for Moore in the third quarter
But Hawthorn again responded and clinically dismantled the Power's momentum with another goal rush.
Encouragingly, the Port midfield continued to fight hard midway through the term and rebounded well from defensive fifty to deliver ruckman Matt Lobbe his first goal for the afternoon.
But despite keeping in touch for the early stages of the fourth Port Adelaide was left watching the clean heels of their opponents as Hawthorn proceeded to break the game open chiefly through Puopolo and Hale.
The Hawks eventually ran the game out 72 point winners on the back of their goal that often left Port Adelaide caught out by Hawthorn’s small crumbers.
Final Scoreboard
Port Adelaide 13.9 (87) def by
Hawthorn 24.15 (159)
Goals: Schulz 4, Brett Ebert, Broadbent 2, Lobbe, Brad Ebert, Boak, Westhoff
Sub: McCarthy in for Moore in the third quarter
Final stats
Disposals: Boak 31, Brad Ebert 28, Pearce 26
Marks: Schulz 8, Trengove 7, Logan, Westhoff 6
Hitouts: Lobbe 15, Redden 13
Tackles: Redden, Cassisi 6, Boak, Cornes 3
Dreamteam: Boak 101, Brad Ebert 94, Schulz 83
