THE biggest Mother's Day crowd for an AFL game since 1998 has seen a lifeless Port Adelaide suffer defeat at the hands of West Coast.
In a dire contest riddled with scrums and spillages, the Power's hopes of stealing a win to go 4-2 after six games were snuffed out when Luke Shuey booted a goal to put the Eagles 10 points up with just seconds left on the clock.
It was his second goal for the term, having kicked the first after three-quarter time to put the Eagles two goals up, and while both sides went goal-for-goal in the final quarter with exciting majors to Chad Wingard and Angus Monfries lifting the crowd late, it wasn't enough for the Power to snatch four premiership points.
Port's disappointing performance was one of its most uncharacteristic for some time, certainly for its last three games.
Its trademark burst running was absent in the second half, and its spark was rarely kindled throughout the night.
Attempts to create opportunity forward of centre in the final term were too little, too late, and despite its dominance from the middle, the Power's two goals came by wearing down the Eagles' resilient backline, in contrast to West Coast's easy forward surges for three goals.
The Power's worrying inside-50 differential again ballooned during the third quarter when West Coast ran hard from stoppages and produced sharp and confident rebound from defence.
It was the most polished either team had looked for the game, with the Power struggling to take advantage of a dominant patch of four consecutive goals in the second term.
Winning that quarter to carry a 17-point lead into the long break, Port was left to rue several misses at goal that could have placed them at least four goals up.
Robbie Gray was on song early with three goals in the first half, and finished with 25 touches along with Hamish Hartlett who toiled all game.
Nathan Krakouer was one of the Power's most impressive with 19 disposals and class at every contest he was involved in, but he was one of few to look truly consistent all evening.
Sunday's loss to West Coast sees Port set in 10th position on the ladder ahead of next Sunday's trip to the Gabba to play recently victorious Brisbane.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.4 7.6 8.6 10.8 (68)
WEST COAST 3.4 4.7 8.11 11.12 (78)
GOALS
R. Gray 3, Wingard 2, Boak, White, Schulz, Lobbe, Monfries
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
R. Gray, Krakouer, Boak, Hartlett, Ebert
INJURIES
Ebert (cut above eye, corked quad), Schulz (corked buttock)
SUBSTITUTE
Brendon Ah Chee replaced Aaron Young in the third quarter
CROWD
38,508 at the Adelaide Oval
