A SCORELESS final term has seen Port Adelaide fall to Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon, despite a competitive showing in the first three terms. 

It was Michael Walters who proved the difference against the Power with an equal career-best six-goal haul, including the first and last of a frenetic final quarter.

While Walters will deservedly bask in the adulation after his masterclass, the Dockers' seventh victory for 2019 – a 15.10 (100) to 12.7 (79) epic – was marked by strong contributions across the park. 

The Power might not have left Optus Stadium with the four points, but they could hold their heads high after pushing the Dockers – who are 5-1 at home against interstate rivals this year. 

Port slipped (6-6) one spot to ninth on the ladder and face a huge test against Geelong at home next Saturday night.

In a see-sawing contest that hung on a knife's edge until late in the final quarter, Port burst out of the blocks but could never shake the Dockers.

The lead changed hands seven times, and the Power edged ahead by a point at the final change after Kane Farrell nailed his career-best fourth goal from point-blank range.

Despite appearing to have plenty of momentum, Ken Hinkley's men failed to score in the last quarter in a disappointing finish to a brave performance without Ollie Wines, Tom Rockliff and Charlie Dixon. 

Playing his first game in 420 days, Hamish Hartlett had the ball on a string early, racking up 12 touches in the first term, before the Dockers turned the tide. 

He appeared to get through unscathed coming back from an ACL reconstruction and hamstring woes, while returning Dockers gun Stephen Hill lifted after a four-handball opening half to finish with 12 possessions in his first game this year.

Young defender Griffin Logue had some good moments and some not so good moments, but filled the breach left by Pearce and gathered 24 possessions in the process, while young ruckman Sean Darcy didn't lower his colours against top duo Paddy Ryder (two goals) and Scott Lycett.

Fremantle won the stoppages 15-3 in the last term, largely thanks to Darcy and Fyfe's influences and with another four games at Optus Stadium, plus a home Western Derby, the Dockers' dream of a first finals appearance since 2015 looks well on track.

But the Power, who haven't won consecutive games since rounds five and six, have some work to do to improve their frustrating inconsistency if they are to stay in the finals race.

SCOREBOARD 
Port Adelaide   5.1   7.5   12.7   12.7 
Fremantle       3.2    8.4  12.6   15.10

MEDICAL ROOM
Fremantle: Small forward Sam Switkowski hobbled off the ground late in the first half with an apparent ankle issue but returned to play after the long break.

Port Adelaide: Tom Jonas copped some friendly fire from Tom Clurey early in the third quarter and shoved the medical staff away before playing out the game.

NEXT UP
Fremantle heads back to the MCG for a winnable clash against Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, while the Power return home for a huge contest with League-leading Geelong that evening.