Power deal Bulldogs huge AFL finals blow

The Western Bulldogs' AFL premiership defence is in tatters after Port Adelaide scored an 17-point win in Ballarat.

Players from Port Adelaide Power react after scoring a goal.

Players from Port Adelaide Power celebrate scoring a goal against the Western Bulldogs. (AAP)

Port Adelaide are right back in the top-four mix after they dealt the Western Bulldogs' AFL premiership defence a huge blow with a hard-fought 17-point win on Saturday.

The first AFL game played in Ballarat for premiership points was a hotly-contested, see-sawing affair, the Power coming from behind to score a 14.12 (96) to 11.13 (79) win in front of 10,087 fans.

Port trailed at every break but kicked the last five goals of the match to the delight of coach Ken Hinkley.

"It was a hot footy today ... they were playing for their season," Hinkley said.

"But we had lots to play for too.

"I certainly made our boys aware of some of the emotional stuff that they would be talking and thinking about.

"It was a really strong hunt and out-number, turnover-style game of football ... I was really pleased with the boys."

On the flip side, the Dogs' premiership defence now hangs by a thread.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge conceded his side need other results to go their way if they are to claim a finals berth.

"It's in the lap of the gods ... we need teams to lose to make it," Beveridge said.

"We've still got another game and we'll just have to see how other results fall.

"It was a tight struggle there for a while and they just got the better of us in the end.

"Unfortunately they had players stand up when the game was on the line in the last quarter and we couldn't match them."

Paddy Ryder was outstanding for the Power with 55 hitouts and two goals, with Travis Boak (32 possessions and a goal), Charlie Dixon (four goals) and Ollie Wines (28 touches and a goal) also important.

Jack Macrae was the Dogs' best player with 41 disposals, with Luke Dahlhaus (29) and Jason Johanissen (27) also key contributors.

The Bulldogs' cause wasn't helped when Jake Stringer left the game with a hamstring injury early in the first quarter.

Just days after signing a new two-year contract, Bailey Dale was the Dogs' most dangerous forward, kicking a goal in each quarter.

The Power trailed by six points at halftime and seven points heading into the last quarter.

The Bulldogs led by two goals early in the final term when Dale booted his fourth, but Hinkley's men surged to the line to record their 13th win of the season.

Power defender Tom Jonas will come under scrutiny from the match review panel after he floored Dahlhaus off the ball.


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Source: AAP


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