CHARLIE Dixon starred in attack as Port Adelaide reclaimed top spot on the AFL ladder with a comfortable 26-point win over lowly Sydney.
Dixon put a week of speculation over his playing future behind him, kicking four goals in the Power’s 11.5 (73) to 7.5 (47) victory at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
It saw Ken Hinkley’s side leapfrog Geelong to sit four points clear of the chasing pack, though Brisbane have a game in hand.
Experienced campaigners Tom Rockliff (24 disposals), Ollie Wines (22) and Travis Boak (20) led a strong Power midfield that dominated first-half proceedings to set up the win.
But it was the home side’s electrifying forward line that provided most of the excitement.
Dixon was at the heart of it after going goalless in his two previous outings and celebrated each of his four majors against the Swans with vigour.
Robbie Gray was outstanding again, finishing with 27 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and two goals.
Injury-ravaged Sydney was missing a host of stars and had few clear winners, though Jake Lloyd (31 disposals) and co-captain Josh Kennedy (28) worked tirelessly.
Port Adelaide suffered a brief scare during the first term when Zak Butters tripped, staggered and over-extended his left leg when running into goal.
The 19-year-old was hurt but carried on and the home team put their stamp on the match with four unanswered goals during the second term.
Dixon (three) and Gray (two) both kicked multiple majors as the Power midfielders asserted their dominance at the clearances (30-10) in the first half.
Comebacks had been the story of round 14 and the plucky Swans kicked two goals without reply in the third quarter to trim a 32-point halftime lead back to 18 points at the final change.
Nick Blakey’s goal on the three-quarter time siren gave them a sniff of an upset.
But it was snuffed out when Dixon ducked and weaved around Lewis Melican and kicked his fourth goal to open the scoring in the final term.
Tough Power midfielder Brad Ebert came off after an accidental head knock during the third quarter and was assessed for concussion, but returned late in the match.
Port Adelaide have a bye next round but don’t have long during the compressed fixture to prepare for their next match – a meeting with North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
The Swans will now relocate to Cairns, where they take on finals contenders Melbourne on Thursday.
(C) AAP 2020
PORT ADELAIDE 4.3 8.3 8.4 11.7 (73)
SYDNEY 3.1 3.1 5.4 7.5 (47)
Goals: Port Adelaide: C Dixon 4 R Gray 2 C Sutcliffe J Westhoff O Wines T Boak Z Butters. Sydney: S Reid 2 C Sinclair J Bell J Dawson N Blakey T Papley.
Umpires: Leigh Haussen, Leigh Fisher, Nathan Williamson.
Official Crowd: 11,801 at Adelaide Oval.
