IT WASN'T Port Adelaide's greatest win against Adelaide but it sure was sweet as it dumped the Crows from the top eight, leaving them floundering.

This gave Port a 13-12 lead in these battles of bragging rights in this city, and equally importantly it salvaged some respect in what has been a dismal season after contesting last year's grand final. In fact, the manner in which the Power celebrated one would have thought it had won the premiership this time.

However, finals is not something Adelaide is talking about with coach Neil Craig conceding that on yesterday's performance it would not be there in September. "We are not a finals team," Craig said.

"We see some good football for a period of time, but then it drops away."

Port coach Mark Williams described it as a "great effort from everyone", adding it was about the players giving a bit of themselves to the club.

"We beat Adelaide at contested ball, and continually showed that we can play that in the last three or four weeks," Williams said.

"We beat them at hard ball gets, tackles, clearances … pretty nice stats for us in a day that was always going to be difficult for scoring."

In a match of changing fortunes up to three-quarter-time, when Port led by 14 points, something special was required, especially when the Crows edged to within seven points midway through the term.

It came with a kick deep into the right southern flank by Justin Westhoff, a one-handed mark by Daniel Motlop opposed to Nathan Bassett, a handball back to Westhoff and a goal under pressure.

There have been better goals, but in the context of this match, and the ailing season for both clubs, it was great team work. And it was inspirational too as it triggered several more goals, including a gift when the Crows lost their cool under the intensity.

Port's only regret was that only 31,662 fans were there — 5297 fewer than the previous lowest attendance for these games, in round three last year.

There were many other great moments — and numerous clangers — too, and perhaps the other defining moment was when Brett Ebert marked in between Graham Johncock and Bassett and goaled after the three-quarter-time siren. Port's win was as much about momentum and fierce determination as it was ability.

Adelaide had plenty of fine moments too, especially involving Bernie Vince throwing his body in against bigger opponents and plucking goals, and three quality goals from Simon Goodwin — his first for eight matches.

But the over-riding factor hurting Adelaide was its poor attempts to clear the ball cleanly from the last line, a trait of recent times which has seen it being tagged as the side that makes the most clangers.

The first half was largely about which side didn't want to win as they sprayed goal opportunities — some ridiculously easy — and turned-over the ball too easily.

However, just when Adelaide appeared to arrest its woes and would take control, Port responded.

Port's Danyle Pearce won the showdown medal, but while he rated highly with 24 disposals, Steven Salopek was perhaps the best, just ahead of Domenic Cassisi.

A key factor in this game was the ability of Kane Cornes to not only shut down Andrew McLeod (11 disposals) but also gather 23.

The Adelaide ace seemed to have one of those occasions when easy kicks went badly astray.

Although not dominant, Warren Tredrea answered his critics from the previous week.

His stats tally in the first term was equal to his match last week, and his determination to recapture his spirit was evident.

Adelaide had a setback when Chris Knights, who had 24 disposals up to three-quarter-time, complained of being unable to see and spent much of the last term in the changerooms.

When he resumed he picked up another five quality touches.

PORT ADELAIDE 4.5 6.6 9.13 13.14 (92)
ADELAIDE 3.0 6.8 7.11 11.14 (80)

GOALS Port Adelaide: Motlop 4, Ebert 4, Pearce 3, Lonie, Westhoff. Adelaide: Goodwin 3, Vince 2, Doughty 2, Stevens 2, Edwards, Tippett.

BEST Port Adelaide: Salopek, Cassisi, Pearce, K Cornes, Ebert, Rodan. Adelaide: Goodwin, Doughty, Douglas, Knights, Massie, Bassett, Van Berlo.

UMPIRES Farmer, McLaren, Schmitt.

CROWD 31,662 at AAMI Stadium.

THE UPSHOT Can Adelaide make the finals? It is ninth, and now plays Sydney (SCG), Carlton (AAMI), Richmond (AAMI), Essendon (Telstra Dome), St Kilda (Telstra Dome), Western Bulldogs (AAMI).

TALKING POINT Port played so well; hard at the ball and at the tight contests. Why hasn't it been able to play like this all season? Mark Williams couldn't explain.

HOT AND COLD Warren Tredrea has been cold but was hot yesterday, just like Simon Goodwin for the Crows.