PORT Adelaide has banked a slogging 38-point win against Gold Coast to climb back into the AFL’s top eight.
The Power prevailed 13.11 (89) to 7.9 (51) on Sunday on a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval to rise from 11th spot to seventh.
Port’s second-gamer Billy Frampton and Kane Farrell kicked three each and ex-captain Travis Boak was best-afield with 36 disposals.
Boak’s teammates Darcy Byrne-Jones (24 touches, 10 inside 50s) and Tom Rocklff (30 possessions) were also prominent in Port’s fifth win of the season.
But Rockliff was reported for tripping Gold Coast’s Anthony Miles, though replays show minimal, if any, contact between the pair in the second quarter incident.
Rockliff’s report came during an even first half when the unfancied Suns more than held their own.
Gold Coast’s Alex Sexton kicked two early goals to help his side to a nine-point lead at quarter-time as heavy rain made ball-handling challenging.
The Power rallied in a slippery second term and booted three goals to take the lead, only for Ben Ainsworth to convert a set shot after the half-time siren to put the Suns back in front, 6.7 to 6.3.
Port then dominated territory in the third quarter, recording a whopping 22 inside 50s to just the Suns’ four.
The weight of attack eventually paid off with the Power booting three goals to one to create a 13-point lead at three quarter-time.
Gold Coast’s fate was effectively sealed when Farrell slotted his second major early in the last term – the Suns managed just one point in the final quarter, and one goal in the second half.
Gold Coast slipped to a sixth loss in nine games despite another standout performance from Brayden Fiorini, who gathered a game-high 38 disposals, while Lachie Weller (25 possessions), Jack Bowes (25 touches) and Darcy MacPherson (20 touches, 12 tackles) battled gamely.
Port play Hawthorn in Tasmania next Saturday afternoon while the Suns host ladder leaders Geelong on Saturday night.
PORT ADELAIDE 3.1 6.3 9.9 13.11 (89)
GOLD COAST 4.4 6.7 7.8 7.9 (51)
Goals: Port Adelaide: B Frampton 3 K Farrell 3 C Rozee 2 K Amon P Ryder S Gray S Motlop Z Butters. Gold Coast: A Sexton 2 B Ainsworth B Fiorini J Bowes J Martin P Wright. Umpires: Shane McInerney, Nick Brown, Brent Wallace.
Official Crowd: 26,129 at Adelaide Oval.
