SPEARHEAD Mitch Georgiades has kicked a career-high seven goals to inspire Port Adelaide to a vital 25-point win against Melbourne.
The Power, with defender Esava Ratugolea also hitting a personal high, prevailed 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Ratugolea took a career-best 13 marks as the Power (six wins, seven losses) leapt from 15th to 10th on the ladder.
Melbourne remains in the mire after a third consecutive defeat, anchored in 14th spot and, after their bye, facing away games against finals-bound Gold Coast and Adelaide.
The Demons were plucky against Port but again paid for inaccuracy, recording more behinds than goals for the ninth time this season.
Power forward Georgiades also missed a series of attempts in kicking 7.4 - the most shots for a Port player this century - while dominating his esteemed opponent Steven May.
Port's Darcy Byrne-Jones kicked two majors and his teammate Jason Horne-Francis (29 disposals) was prolific before injuring a shoulder.
Power captain Connor Rozee (32 touches) and his deputy Zak Butters (27) were also busy before a 30,982-strong home crowd.
Melbourne's multi-million dollar man Kysaiah Pickett, fresh from signing a contract to remain a Demon until 2034, slotted three goals and Bailey Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen kicked two each.
The Demons, after two Pickett goals in 90 seconds, were one point down midway through the second quarter when the tide rapidly turned.
After Melbourne butchered an attacking entry, the Power swept downfield for a Willie Rioli goal.
While the Power were celebrating, Demon defender Judd McVee landed a gut punch on Georgiades which was spotted by the umpire.
Georgiades was awarded a free without the ball returning to the centre and kicked the second major in a stretch of four unanswered goals that created a 24-point half-time lead, 9.6 to 5.6.
Melbourne rallied in the third term with two goals to Fritsch and a Daniel Turner strike reducing their deficit to only five points.
The visitors arguably should have been in front, with another handful of shots at goal sprayed wide as they scored 3.5 for the quarter.
And the Demons paid a hefty price for their waste late on when Sam Powell-Pepper was awarded a dubious holding-the-ball free against Jack Viney on a wing.
Viney was penalised 50 metres for delaying returning the ball to Powell-Pepper, who goaled after the siren to give Port a 15-point buffer at three quarter-time.
Port added three more successive goals, including two more from Georgiades, to seal victory.
The 'leg-sleeve guy' takes it in his stride
Port Adelaide debutant Mani Liddy came into the side just weeks after being picked in the mid-season draft and looked right at home. The former air-conditioning mechanic caught the eye as soon as he took the field, mainly due to the black 'leg sleeve' he wears since a football accident last year that almost cost him his right leg.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.4 9.6 11.8 14.9 (93)
MELBOURNE 3.4 5.6 8.11 9.14 (68)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 7, Byrne-Jones 2, Rioli, Powell-Pepper, Horne-Francis, Burgoyne, Bergman
Melbourne: Pickett 3, van Rooyen 2, Fritsch 2, Turner, Petty
BEST
Port Adelaide: Georgiades, Horne-Francis, Butters, Rozee, Ratugolea, Bergman
Melbourne: Pickett, Gawn, Fritsch, Petracca,
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Aliir (knee), Horne-Francis (shoulder)
Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Hugh Jackson (replaced Aliir Aliir at three-quarter time)
Melbourne: Xavier Lindsay (replaced Trent Rivers at three-quarter time)
Crowd: 30,982 at Adelaide Oval
