DESPITE Brisbane coming at Port Adelaide's early lead in two waves, the Power was too good in Saturday twilight football at Adelaide Oval. 

The somewhat lifeless game, where the Power built an early lead and kept Brisbane at arm's length before opening an eventual 40-point buffer in the final term, was a positive result for the Power following last week's loss to the Bombers at Etihad. 

Port kicked ahead early, and while Brisbane was able to claw back the score throughout the night, always seemed to have the answers around the ground. 

When the Power strung eight goals together between the back end of the second quarter and three-quarter time, the game was beyond Brisbane's reach.

Even when Brisbane was able to sneak an early fourth quarter majors through Hipwood and Zorko, the Power responded in kind through  Ryder (his second) and Wingard (his third).

Still, there may be some concern at Alberton at the ease with which the Lions were able to close within 15 points at the quarter and half time breaks, despite Port having the ascendency in most areas.

Once again the Power's midfield mega trio of Ryder, Brad Ebert and Ollie Wines dominated at stoppages. Ryder controlled the ruck contest, while Ebert was one of Port's best suppliers for ball inside 50. 

Wines led Port's disposal count and was never far from the action.

Darcy Byrne-Jones also provided quality supply from half back.

A sour note for Port came late in the fourth quarter with Jared Polec sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Port Adelaide now reloads for a road trip to Melbourne - its second in a fortnight - against old rival Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday 24 June. 

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE              5.6        8.9        14.10        18.13 (121)   

BRISBANE LIONS             3.3        6.6        10.6        12.9 (81)

Goals

Wingard 3, Young, R. Gray, Wines, Powell-Pepper, Ryder 2, Boak, Dixon, Hartlett

portadelaidefc.com.au’s best

Ebert, Wines, Ryder, Powell-Pepper, Byrne-Jones

Injuries

Polec (hamstring)

Crowd

31,772 at Adelaide Oval

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