PORT Adelaidewithstood a withering final quarter burst from the Brisbane Lions to eke outa seven-point win at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Led by six goals from small forward DanielMotlop, the Power won 17.10 (112) to 15.15 (105), but not before a mightyfright.
Power led by 40 points at the three-minutemark of the final term, only to watch the home team kick seven unanswered goalsin front of its 22,124 screaming fans to level the scores late in the term.
But a strong mark to Brett Ebert, and a subsequent 50m penalty, ensured the forward’s first goal of the nightwould be the match's most valuable.
He then backed up a minute later to put the game beyond doubt with a crucial behind on the run with his right boot.
Motlop was outstanding for the victors, bootingsix goals including a contender for goal of the year.
He beat three opponents in Jed Adcock,Justin Sherman and Ashley McGrath, but can thank plenty of help up the groundfor the chances with which he was provided.
Shaun Burgoyne was brilliant in the middle,as was brother Peter off the half-back line, and with Darryl Wakelin doing astrong job on Jonathan Brown, the match looked in the bag until late in the finalquarter.
Port booted seven goals to two in thesecond term, then another five to three in the third, and when Chad Cornes andMotlop goaled early in the fourth, the contest looked over.
But the Lions found legs they had missedall night as Brown (two) and Josh Drummond (two) started the comeback.
Port started the contest slowly, trailingthe Lions by seven points at quarter-time.
It was only a goal by lively midfielderDavid Rodan right on the siren that kept the scores close, as the home team usedthe ball more efficiently in the first term.
Justin Westhoff got Port on the board firstafter Shaun Burgoyne found him all alone in the goal square after a delightful chippass.
But the Lions kicked the next three majorsas Notting, Brown and Charman all goaled from set shots.
Then the match turned dramatically as thePower slammed on the first seven goals of the second term to go into the majorbreak with a 9.5 (59) to 5.10 (40) lead.
Motlop and Westhoff were causing all sortsof problems up forward, while Peter Burgoyne, Dominic Casisi and Daniel Pearcewere dominating in the middle.
Motlop kicked three for the term, while Westhoffadded two of his own, but it was the quicksilver number four who stole the showwith a freakish effort midway through the quarter.
Running along the left boundary line andcoming to the 50m arc, Motlop somehow fashioned a banana kick with his rightfoot that carried the journey.
The Lions were further stunned when bothWesthoff and Motlop kicked their third goals for the match respectively to pushthe lead out to 32.
Only goals by Rischitelli and Brennannarrowed the margin by the major break.
But order was restored during the thirdterm as Port slammed on another five goals to three to extend the lead to 28points at the final change – 14.7 (91) to 8.15 (63).
Motlop continued to star, adding two morerunning goals to his tally.
Rodan’s brilliant 50m effort afteroutpacing Nigel Lappin summed up the difference in pace between the two teams,while Nathan Lonie also drifted down from the backline to further rub salt intothe wound with another 50m dagger.
PORT ADELAIDE 2.3 9.5 14.7 17.10 (112)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.4 5.10 8.15 15.15(105)
Goals: Port Adelaide: D Motlop 6 J Westhoff 3 DRodan 2 D Pearce S Burgoyne R Gray N Lonie C Cornes B Ebert. Brisbane Lions: JBrown 4 T Notting 3 J Brennan 2 J Charman 2 J Drummond 2 M Rischitelli CBegley.
Best: Port Adelaide: S Burgoyne J Westhoff DMotlop D Pearce P Burgoyne. Brisbane Lions: N Lappin J Brown J Drummond LPower.
Umpires: D Sully, M Head, DGoldspink.
Official crowd: 22,124 at theGabba.
Injuries: Nil.
Reports: Nil
