PORT Adelaide has suffered an unexpected hurdle in the approach to its first finals campaign since 2008 with a shock 32-point loss at the hands of bottom-placed Glenelg on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies finish the 2014 League minor round with a 12-6 record, but still clinched the minor premiership by a win and percentage after South Adelaide defeated Sturt at Noarlunga.

The minor premiership is Port Adelaide's 44th in League football.

Although, the Magpies remained in striking distance of the Tigers for most of the day, they could not muster its normal game against a determined opposition.

VOTE FOR YOUR BEST IN THE ENERGYAUSTRALIA MAGPIES FANS MVP

Particuarly inaccurate set shot kicking and a frequent skill errors combined with Glenelg's efficient rebound to put paid to the Magpies hopes of a closing minor round win.

The Bays had plenty of motivation to push hard for a win - as forecast by Magpies coach Garry Hocking during the week - with the retirement of club stalwart Ty Allen and playing in their final game of the season seeing the home side control the match from start to finish.

Port Adelaide struggled to handle the Tigers' pressure and coughed up the ball far too often in attack.

Fast rebound through the middle of the ground and the ability to regularly find space game Glenelg the edge when it counted.

Tom Clurey and vice-captain Henry Slattery heightened the Magpies' defensive pressure and combined with Ben Newton, Tom Logan and skipper Steve Summerton in the midfield to get Port going in the second quarter.

But Port Adelaide's dominance around the ground was for little return, and each time the Magpies threatened to take control, the relentless Glenelg outfit responded

The lead switched hands five times during the second term before a goal to Glenelg on the half time siren saw the Bays take a two-point advantage at the main break.

Port Adelaide's sole goal in the third term came from a hard run down the field from Kane Mitchell, while 10th-placed Glenelg managed to boot three majors to secure the victory.

Summerton, who finished with 27 disposals, four clearances, eight marks and three defensive rebounds and Newton (25 clearances, two clearances, six marks) both battled gallantly for the Magpies.

SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE     1.2     5.7     6.11     8.12 (60)
GLENELG                  1.5     5.9     8.12     13.14 (92)

PORTADELAIDEFC.COM.AU'S BEST
Logan, Newton, Summerton, Gray, Stevenson

GOALS
Butcher, Shaw 2, Amon, Harvey, Hitchcock, Mitchell

INJURIES
Young (TBC)

REPORTS
nil