PORT Adelaide has put a dent in the Western Bulldogs' hopes of September action, running out 17 points winners in the first AFL game for premiership points in Ballarat.
Big forward Charlie Dixon proved the difference with four goals and two huge final-quarter marks when Port needed a lift after it fell 12 points behind early in the final term.
Dixon took six contested marks for the game as the Power dominated in the air.
Scores were level with about 10 minutes remaining but Port Adelaide put the foot down kicking 14.12 (96) to the Western Bulldogs 11.13 (79).
The win temporarily puts Port inside the top four, guarantees it will play finals this year, and most likely means it will play its first game in September at Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak and ruckman Paddy Ryder combined well to give the Port Adelaide midfield its ascendancy, while Jake Neade's pressure up forward was outstanding.
The Bulldogs battled hard but could not find a marking target inside the forward 50, taking just four marks inside 50, with mid-sized forward Bailey Dale taking three of them.
Dale was outstanding, kicking four goals to give the undersized Dogs an avenue in attack just days after signing a new contract, but they missed Jack Redpath's presence.
It meant that although the Bulldogs had kicked three goals to hold a seven-point lead at the first break, they trailed uncontested marks 26 to 3, tackles 21 to 20 and contested possessions 40 to 37.
They also struggled to handle Ryder's ruckwork.
The Port Adelaide big man had kicked two goals into a slight breeze in that first term and looked to have the ascendancy.
Port hit the front early in the second term when Ollie Wines goaled and had the momentum.
The Bulldogs lifted around the stoppages, sharing the ball and also spread the ground to take uncontested marks.
Jack Macrae was outstanding for the Bulldogs in the first half, winning seven clearances and 10 contested possessions.
His work inside gave the Bulldogs enough inside 50s to stay in the contest and they made the most of their chances kicking three goals from nine inside 50s.
But Port Adelaide had greater numbers winning the inside 50 count 60-52 and it showed on the scoreboard.
It was Port's third win in its past 12 games against the Bulldogs and means next Friday night's clash with Hawthorn could well be captain Bob Murphy's final game.
NEXT UP
The Bulldogs face Hawthorn on an emotional Friday night with the Hawks sending off Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson. Port Adelaide should defeat Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval to secure a home final but could sneak into the top four.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.3 6.5 9.11 11.13 (79)
PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 5.5 8.10 14.12 (96)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Dale 4, Cloke 2, Hunter 2, Dunkley, Liberatore, Suckling
Port Adelaide: Dixon 4, R.Gray 2, Wingard 2, Ryder 2, Wines, Boak, S Gray, Polec
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Macrae, McLean, Dale, Dahlhaus, Suckling, Daniel
Port Adelaide: Ryder, Boak, Dixon, Polec, Wines, Powell-Pepper
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Stringer (left hamstring)
Port Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Chamberlain, Meredith, Mitchell
Official crowd: 10,087 at Mars Stadium
