AS its AFL finals hopes were dashed, Port Adelaide's SANFL players took another step towards securing a top-three berth in the state league with a 59-point win over North Adelaide.
Overcoming a slow start at Prospect Oval, the Magpies held the Roosters to just three goals after half time while booting eight of their own.
Angus Monfries, playing his first game for Port in the SANFL, was the star up forward.
He kicked four goals, while Nathan Krakouer made his return from injury by slotting three of his own.
The result leaves the Magpies just percentage shy of second place, tied on points with the Bloods, while the Redlegs are just percentage behind in fourth.
It was another must-win game on Saturday, but it took almost a half of football for the Magpies to rally and eventually kick away from the Roosters.
Returning from injury, it was Nathan Krakouer who opened the account for Port Adelaide, taking a strong mark inside 50 to get his first of an eventual three for the afternoon.
But the home side, playing for pride and searching for its first win since round one, was quick to hit back and some poor defence allowed North Adelaide too much space, and Barnes and Curnow quickly got their names on the score sheet.
A muddy centre square made it difficult to clear the ball and an error-riddled second quarter saw players from both sides unable to take a clean possession at ground level and in the air.
Despite the mistakes, neither side was really able to capitalise on the scoreboard.
Some class ruck work from Redden and desperation from Summerton, Mitchell and Sawford helped Krakouer and Monfries kick their second majors and gave the Magpies an 18 point lead at the main break.
Port Adelaide proved why it belonged in the top tier of the competition in the second half and its strong, relentless attack on the football was impressive, resulting in an eventual win of the tackle count, 68-42.
Port Adelaide only allowed the Roosters to score three goals in the second half.
One came in the third quarter from an undisciplined free kick after a North Adelaide goal and before the centre bounce, allowing the home side another kick for goal.
Led by Mitchell's attack on the football at the contest and the outside run of Sawford, Ah Chee and Amon, the Magpies' forwards capitalised.
But the scoreboard could have been even uglier for the Roosters if the Magpies' conversion rate in front of the big sticks was more accurate.
It was arguably the best game played by Kane Mitchell in Port's state league side, as he finished with 38 disposals, 15 clearances, five marks, six tackles, six inside 50s, two defensive rebounds and a goal.
He was closely followed by Ben Sawford, who ended the match with 31 disposals, six clearances, eight marks, seven tackles, four inside 50s and two defensive rebounds.
While the Magpies need only win one more game to secure a berth in the finals, the race for the top five remains wide open after Adelaide defeated South and Central kept its finals hopes alive with victory over Sturt.
The Magpies will travel to Glenelg next week for its game under lights on Friday night against the Tigers.
League Scoreboard
PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 7.5 11.11 15.16 (106)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.2 4.5 6.5 7.5 (47)
Best
Sawford, Mitchell, Monfries, Ah Chee, Summerton
Goals
Monfries 4, Krakouer 3, Palmer 2, Ah Chee, Howard, Masters, Mitchell, Sharrad, Shaw
Injuries
TBC
Crowd
1964 at Prospect Oval
ACADEMY REPORT
Earlier in the day, a five-goal-to-none final quarter saw Port Adelaide's Academy side move into second spot on the SANFL reserves ladder, beating North Adelaide's reserves by 36 points.
The Magpies' youngsters have now beaten every team in the reserves competition which previously sat above them, except for first-placed Woodville West-Torrens, which remain undefeated this season.
The Roosters went into the main break 13 points up, but the Magpies, led strongly by Jack Haarsma, who finished with 29 disposals, rallied to go four points up at the final change.
That was the closest the Roosters got, as Port Adelaide's defence stood up in the final term and the forwards capitalised.
Sam Gordon was the star up forward kicking three goals, while Matthew Williams continued his top form, finishing the day with 24 possessions.
The team has turned things around since languishing in the bottom tier of the competition at the start of the season.
The win secured the Academy team a finals berth.
Coach Mark Clayton was proud of his side's ability to fight back after being down at half time.
He admitted the side was excited by the prospect of playing finals for the first time, but was also determined to steer the young boys away from getting ahead of themselves, but rather focusing on each week at a time.
"I am really proud of them, they didn't start very well though," Clayton said.
"There wasn't a lot of team care in the first half, but we came out and turned that around completely in the second half and it was a really good effort.
"Eleven goals to three in the second half and no goals from them in the final quarter was really pleasing.
"The boys are really enjoying being out there and playing football with each other and we can continue to do alright if we stick to what we are doing.
"We have Glenelg next week and we have a chance to knock them out of the race for the top five, so hopefully we can do that and if we keep winning, we will stay second."
ACADEMY SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 2.4 2.3 8.4 13.6 (84)
NORTH ADELAIDE 1.2 4.4 7.6 7.6 (48)
PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU’S BEST
Coulson, Haarsma, M. Williams, Hawkins, Gordon
GOALS
Gordon 3, Hawkins, Northeast, Reynolds 2, Haarsma, Phelps, Coulson, Proude
