Enigmatic Justin Westhoff has triggered a scoring avalanche for Port Adelaide to down reigning AFL premiers Richmond by 14 points.
Westhoff kicked three goals in Port's 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58) victory on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
The 237-gamer sparked the Power to a seven-goal second-term blitz, laying the platform for a seventh win of the season.
Port are two wins inside the top eight ahead of weekend games, and have a game in hand on rivals after already having their mid-season bye.
An off-key Richmond slipped to a third loss of the year - all interstate - but remain in second spot.
The Tigers paid the price for a sloppy second quarter when Port scored seven goals to two.
The hot-and-cold Westhoff booted two goals in 90 seconds to launch Port's spree: from seven points down at quarter-time, the Power went into halftime 23 up.
Richmond snuck within 11 points in the final term but Port, despite kicking just one goal in the second half, held their collective nerve.
"I thought we were quite composed late in the game when one goal either way would have made a difference," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
Westhoff finished with 23 disposals while teammates Robbie Gray and Sam Gray slotted two goals each.
Port's vice-captain Ollie Wines was a standout with 29 disposals, 12 tackles and 10 inside 50s and teammates Chad Wingard (31 possessions) and Jared Polec (28 touches) were busy.
Port's defence, with Darcy Byrne-Jones (21 disposals) prominent, largely held sway although Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt was a menace with three goals and Shane Edwards sharked two in two minutes early.
Goalsneak Jason Castagna also potted two majors to offer his side hope - his second, eight minutes into the final quarter, reduced the deficit to 11 points.
But neither side could score another goal as Port triumphed before a 39,936-strong crowd.
"We were always chasing our backsides trying to get back," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.
"We couldn't get the game played the way we wanted it to be played."
The Tigers were missing Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin (calf) and five other premiership players and captain Trent Cotchin (20 disposals) was unable to shoulder the midfield load.
Kane Lambert (26 disposals), Jayden Short (25 possessions), Shaun Grigg (24 touches) found plenty of the ball, while Reece Conca laid nine tackles with his 22 possessions.
Backman Alex Rance had an engrossing duel with Port Adelaide's Charlie Dixon - the Power forward kicked 1.1 but threatened, while the Tiger star had 17 disposals and moments of brilliance.
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