1. Gray produces moment of magic
Down by three points with the game all but out of reach, Power ruckman Patrick Ryder tapped the ball down to Robbie Gray from about 70m out. Gray read it beautifully, stormed away from the Saints defence and kicked truly from 55m to spark wild celebrations from the Power faithful. The Power were in control of the scrappy game for most of the night before the Saints booted four goals in a row in the last term to look like they would steal victory. It capped another superb game for the three-time Power club champion in the midfield.
2. Gallant Saints see finals chance slip away
The Saints have now lost their past six games against the Power, with their last win coming in round 16, 2011. They are also yet to return home with the four premiership points from their eight visits to Adelaide Oval. After thrashing Richmond in round 16, the Saints (9-9) have dropped three on the trot to put their chances of playing in the finals at long odds. The Saints are going to struggle to match last year's 12-10 win-loss record in a sign their development hasn't gone as far forward as many expected. But after such a gallant last-quarter fightback, this will be hard to swallow.
3. Carlisle stands up when it counts
The resurgence of Jake Carlisle continues after serving a 12-month doping suspension last year for the 2012 Essendon supplements saga. Carlisle was simply superb for the Saints, taking plenty of intercept marks in defence under a barrage of inside 50 entries. Carlisle read the play beautifully and always seemed to know where the ball was going before it was there. His experience was vital to the Saints when the game was on the line in the last term.
4. Bruce's behind post mark becomes goal review farce
The goal review system showed another glitch when Saints forward Josh Bruce was denied a mark after crashing into the behind post. Bruce clearly maintained possession of the ball, but after several looks, it was deemed to be umpire's call. Luckily for the Saints, that meant paying the goal to Tim Membrey, who picked up the rebound. The goal review was called into play again with Jackson Trengove's snap declared to have missed the goal post. After several looks, the review came back as a goal, although it was hard to see how the ball conclusively missed the post.
5. Hombsch responds to axing in style
Port Adelaide wanted to see two key areas of improvement out of recalled key backman Jack Hombsch – be strong in one-on-one contests and know when to sag off and help teammates. Hombsch ticked both boxes in an impressive performance after spending the past two weeks in the SANFL. It was a night for the defenders. Tom Jonas, Tom Clurey, Hamish Hartlett and Darcy Byrne-Jones all made an impact for the Power, while Jake Carlisle and Dylan Roberton had big games for the Saints.
This story originally appeared on afl.com.au
