The Power was unable to match a battle-hardened Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Saturday afternoon, despite holding firm with the Dockers for the opening two quarters.
Fremantle kicked six consecutive goals in the third term to put the Power to the hilt, with their dominance out of the middle proving pivotal to their sudden goal surge.
The Dockers upped the ante in the third term and their pressure forced the Power into crucial turnovers.
But efficient ball use on Fremantle's behalf meant it was able to maximise its entry inside 50 more effectively.
Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters would boot four and three goals respectively in an encore of their recent showing against the Lions to prove chief destroyers for the home side.
Jay Schulz starred in attack for the Power with six majors to his name, while the AFL Coaches' champion Robbie Gray again dominanted through the middle with 33 touches.
Port Adelaide must now regroup quickly for its elimination final encounter against either Richmond, West Coast or the Crows.
The loss will burn after a good start saw the Power match Freo with a determined and brave attack that led to opening goals through Matt White and Justin Westhoff.
But the Dockers continued to respond throughout the opening term, with Pavlich and Taberner working hard to keep Fremantle's scoreboard pressure high before Jay Schulz kicked the first of six goals for the afternoon to level the scores before quarter time.
Port Adelaide maintained its pressure throughout the opening half with strong tackling, but lacked the foot execution required at critical moments inside its attacking 50.
Roles were reversed in the second quarter as Fremantle dominated from centre stoppages to pump the ball forward time and again, but the Power was able to launch its own volley through Wingard, Schulz and Hartlett.
Their efforts up forward gave the Power a wafer-thin one-point lead at the main break, and goals early in the third quarter to Wingard and Hartlett again gave the Power a sniff of blood.
But Fremantle's ability to heap the pressure on their opposition in response came into full effect to catch and overtake the Power by the final change.
Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Walters would boot four and three goals respectively in an encore of their recent showing against the Lions to prove chief destroyers for the home side.
Jay Schulz starred in attack for the Power with six majors to his name, while the AFL Coaches' champion Robbie Gray again dominanted through the middle with 33 touches.
Port Adelaide must now regroup quickly for its elimination final encounter against either Richmond, West Coast or the Crows.
The loss will burn after a good start saw the Power match Freo with a determined and brave attack that led to opening goals through Matt White and Justin Westhoff.
But the Dockers continued to respond throughout the opening term, with Pavlich and Taberner working hard to keep Fremantle's scoreboard pressure high before Jay Schulz kicked the first of six goals for the afternoon to level the scores before quarter time.
Port Adelaide maintained its pressure throughout the opening half with strong tackling, but lacked the foot execution required at critical moments inside its attacking 50.
Roles were reversed in the second quarter as Fremantle dominated from centre stoppages to pump the ball forward time and again, but the Power was able to launch its own volley through Wingard, Schulz and Hartlett.
Their efforts up forward gave the Power a wafer-thin one-point lead at the main break, and goals early in the third quarter to Wingard and Hartlett again gave the Power a sniff of blood.
But Fremantle's ability to heap the pressure on their opposition in response came into full effect to catch and overtake the Power by the final change.
That comfortable margin proved too much for Port despite its late fourth-quarter surge - falling just eight points short after being down by 38 earlier in the term.
It gave Ken Hinkley confidence heading into the club's September campaign.
"I though the boys were outstanding," Hinkley said of his side after the game.
"I thought we showed that we were worthy of playing against one of the good sides in the comp.
"Today is perfect preparation [for finals], we can take a lot away.
"I would say right now we are playing as good footy as we have played all year."
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.3 7.6 9.10 14.13 (97)
FREMANTLE 3.3 7.5 13.8 16.9 (105)
GOALS
Schulz 6, Wingard, Hartlett, R. Gray 2, White, Westhoff
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU's BEST
R. Gray, Schulz, Boak, Hartlett, Westhoff, Wines, Cornes
SUBSTITUTE
Angus Monfries replaced Matt White at three-quarter time
CROWD
38,209 at Patersons Stadium
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.3 7.6 9.10 14.13 (97)
FREMANTLE 3.3 7.5 13.8 16.9 (105)
GOALS
Schulz 6, Wingard, Hartlett, R. Gray 2, White, Westhoff
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU's BEST
R. Gray, Schulz, Boak, Hartlett, Westhoff, Wines, Cornes
SUBSTITUTE
Angus Monfries replaced Matt White at three-quarter time
CROWD
38,209 at Patersons Stadium
