SYDNEY has won a tantalising contest against Port Adelaide to pull away in the final quarter and win by 15 points as it kept its finals hopes alive.

Leading by just two points at three-quarter time, the Swans snatched their first away win with a 6.9 (45) to 3.12 (30) victory at Alberton Oval on Saturday in a thrilling armwrestle.

It was a far cry from the teams' maiden clash last season, in which the Swans scored only two behinds to lose by 66 to the Power.

Box office match-ups lit up the crowd, with rising stars Ally Morphett and Matilda Scholz facing off in the ruck as Port powerhouse Erin Phillips played on Sydney co-captain Chloe Molloy.

"We haven't been able to do that on the road. That's the first win," Molloy told Fox Footy.

"To Port Adelaide's credit, their crowds are awesome. You hear the 'Never Tear Us Apart' and we just silenced that."

The Swans enjoyed an even team performance across the field, complemented by a standout display from Laura Gardiner (33 disposals, six clearances) in the midfield and Lucy McEvoy (11 intercept possessions), who was a brick wall in defence.

Cynthia Hamilton opened the scoring for the Swans but was upstaged by a terrific goal from Port's Gemma Houghton.

Scholz had sent a long bomb to an empty forward 50 as Houghton flaunted her speed to leave Alice Mitchell in the dust and kick truly.

With the Swans leading by one point at quarter-time, Bec Privitelli and Bella Smith kicked back-to-back goals in less than two minutes as their lead extended to 18.

Two goals by Ash Saint kept the Power alive, but inaccuracy cost them.

With just two points the difference going into the final term, Jaide Anthony kicked her first AFLW goal, while Molloy finally kicked her own major to grab a comfortable win for her side.

Sydney (3-3) returns to Henson Park to host Hawthorn next round while Port Adelaide (1-5) faces a formidable challenge against North Melbourne at Arden Street.

PORT ADELAIDE           1.4     2.7     3.11     3.12 (30)
SYDNEY                          1.5     3.5      4.7       6.9 (45)

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Saint 2, Houghton
Sydney: C.Hamilton 2, Smith, Privitelli, Molloy, Anthony

BEST 
Port Adelaide: Dowrick, Phillips, Houghton, Saint, Scholz
Sydney: Gardiner, Molloy, McEvoy, Hurley, Smith, Morphett 

INJURIES 
Port Adelaide: MacLachlan (ankle)
Sydney: Newman (concussion) 

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 2597 at Alberton Oval