OUTPLAYED in the second half, Port Adelaide was unable to hold off a GWS surge on a wet and wild Sunday evening at the Adelaide Oval.

Despite leading by 20 points at half time after Brad Ebert was awarded a controversial 50-metre penalty to kick his third goal after the siren, the Power were bested by the Giants in possession and unable to capitalise on their pushes into attack.

At one point, it appeared as though Port might not convert for the term until Robbie Gray converted his third goal at the 27-minute mark.

When Ebert kicked his fourth at the 16-minute point of the final term, the Power looked a chance, but the Giants surged again for Smith to curl his third and extend their lead to 22 points. 

The disappointment of the result will be compounded for Port after wins to North Melbourne and St Kilda forced the Power to 10th on the ladder, and relying heavily on the fall of results in the remaining five weeks to qualify for finals. 

The story was different before half time, as the Power overcame a slow start to open up its early advantage over the visitors. 

Ebert and Robbie Gray were the chief scorers for the home side, while Hamish Hartlett and Jasper Pittard were defensive lynchpins. 

Tom Clurey stood up against Jeremy Cameron in the absence of the Power's regular key backs, but like his fellow defenders found it difficult to contend with the Giants' superior transition after half time.  

Port Adelaide plays the Brisbane Lions in Round 19 at the Gabba at 6.55pm AEST on Saturday 24 July.

Scoreboard

PORT ADELAIDE    2.2   6.3    7.5    9.6 (60)
GWS GIANTS        0.2   2.7    7.11  11.13  (79)

portadelaidefc.com.au's best
Wines, Ebert, R. Gray, Boak, Trengove

Goals
Ebert 4, R. Gray 3, Wingard

Injuries
Ebert (bleeding from head), Austin (TBC)

Crowd
27,935 at the Adelaide Oval