In tough, dewy conditions, the Magpies led at each break, but a final quarter fight back from second-placed North Adelaide stopped Port from recording its fourth win of the season.
It wasn't the first time the newly-formed side had come this close to beating a top-tier opponent and, eager to make amends for the 64-point loss to Sturt a fortnight ago, the home side came out firing with its hard tackling and hunt for the ball.
North Adelaide's movement out of the middle was slick early, but the black and white defence held strong through the hard work of rebounds and strong marks from Tom Gray and Tom Corcoran.
The Academy executed the trademark Port Adelaide run-and-carry from defence, which gave the forwards perfect scoring opportunities.
Sam Gordon and Jack Cooper were influential up forward for Port Adelaide in the first half, recording two goals each at the main break to help the home side to a narrow five point lead.
The tightly-held score at half time was replicated by the key statistics, as the home side narrowly led the clearances, (17-15) and the rebounds from defensive 50 (14-13).
It was goal-for-goal early in the third term until the rain started to pour and goals were hard to come by.
Anthony Prior starred up-forward for the home side recording five goals by the final break.
Among Prior's highlights was mid-air volley about 20 metres from goal in a fitting display worthy of an Australian national soccer team.
But North Adelaide was not going down without a fight and a few late goals to the visitors pulled back the margin to one straight goal at the final change.
The rain stopped in the final term and so did the Magpies' momentum.
Port Adelaide failed to handle the pressure placed on them at the clearances and through the middle and the Roosters capitalised on their mistakes.
Overuse of the ball at the stoppages allowed the Roosters' bigger bodies to mop up and their forwards converted well.
Prior again proved the difference up forward and remained calm under pressure to score his sixth and much needed major at the 21-minute mark after a run of Roosters' goals to cut the margin back to three points.
Academy coach Jacob Surjan told portadelaidefc.com.au he was proud that his charges produced a four quarter effort and that reproducing that consistency would be the focus for the team heading to the end of the season.
"We were almost there, but not good enough at the end," Surjan said.
"Credit to North Adelaide, they moved the ball really well at the end and they played a good style of football.
"But our boys fought hard for the whole four quarters, which is what I asked them to do and we just couldn't get the job done unfortunately.
"We have to try and fast track their development because they are a young team, so we need to get them playing consistently not in the ups and downs they have been."
The Academy's next match will be on Saturday 2 August, when they take on South Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.2 6.4 10.6 12.10 (82)
NORTH ADELAIDE 2.4 5.5 9.8 12.12 (84)
portadelaidefc.com.au’s best
Prior, Gray, Hawkins, Corcoran, Sharrad.
Goals
Prior 6, Gordon, Cooper 2, Hamilton, Davidson
