PORT Adelaide coach Matthew Primus says his team was determined not to let victory over Melbourne slip after enduring a heartbreaking loss to Essendon the week prior.

Match Report: History Made at the Oval

The Power led by 34 points halfway through the final quarter against the Bombers last weekend, but conceded seven goals in 10 minutes to go down by seven points.

Port Adelaide faced a similar challenge in the last term of the historic match at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

The home team led by 12 points at three-quarter time, but appeared destined for another demoralising defeat when the Demons kicked three straight goals at the start of the final quarter to snatch back the lead.

Buoyed by a vocal crowd, the Power were able to respond, with goals to Travis Boak and match-winner Justin Westhoff (four goals), sealing the win and lifting the club off the bottom of the AFL ladder.

The determined win snapped an 11-game losing streak for the club.

"The players were really bitterly disappointed that we lost [to Essendon] last week," Primus said after the game.

"Our last five or six weeks haven't been great, but the players have been able to get through that and rise above it in the last couple of weeks and play some half-decent footy.

"I think the crowd played an enormous factor today. I thought they really got behind us and gave us a lift because we were pretty tired and out on our legs in the last 10 minutes of that last quarter.

"It was terrific for them to come out and support us in what's been a difficult year, and to also give their thumbs up to Adelaide Oval.

"We've taken a lot of hits this year, but we've finished on a good note and that will give us a tiny bounce into pre-season."

The club will conduct individual player and team reviews on Tuesday and Wednesday before the players start their post-season break on Thursday.

After that, the Power's attention will turn to list management and the draft.

Primus said the club would look to bolster its midfield depth and ruck department, identifying Northern Knights ruckman - and potential top-five draft pick - Billy Longer as a possible target.

"We'll look to help out Matty Lobbe, who I thought took another step today," he said.

"It probably showed that with a bit of help from 'Broges' [Dean Brogan] it took a bit of responsibility off of him.

"The ruckman doesn't have to be super experienced. There's a good one [Longer] going in the draft, who is going to go early, so we'll be all over him depending on where he goes.

"I'm not too concerned about experience or youth. We just want someone who is going to be able to handle themself in the ruck and go forward."

The Power's win over Melbourne means it will slip from pick No. 4 to pick No. 6 in November's NAB AFL Draft.

The team will return for the start of pre-season training on November 3.