PORT Adelaide has copped some costly injuries in a valiant 28-point loss to Brisbane on Saturday night.
The visitors lost bookends Dante Visentini and Esava Ratugolea in the first quarter at the Gabba, then in-form Sam Powell-Pepper left the game in the third term with a potentially serious left knee injury.
However, with just two fit men on the bench and the returning Ollie Wines deputising in the ruck, the Power found a way to stay in touch before going down 18.12 (120) to 14.8 (92) to the defending champions.
Victory kept Brisbane (11-4-1) in second place, while Port (7-9), with seven rounds to play, is running out of time to bridge the growing gap between it and the top eight.
A seven-goal blitz after a slow start to the first quarter and three quick goals after Powell-Pepper's injury were enough for the hosts, who had come off the bye determined to improve their 4-3 Gabba record.
But it was the Power who started hotter, the 10th-placed side needing a scalp to climb the ladder.
Willie Rioli (three goals) and Mitch Georgiades (four goals) gave the visitors an early advantage, and Powell-Pepper had an immediate reply to Charlie Cameron's (three goals) first major.
The Lions flicked the switch though, aggressive running and clean finishing by Zac Bailey (five goals, two assists, 26 disposals) triggering a brilliant offensive flourish.
Tackle pressure lifted and the Lions, guilty of poor accuracy in recent losses, couldn't miss.
Eric Hipwood's goal on the siren made it seven consecutive majors, and Josh Dunkley put them 38 points clear with the first strike of the second term.
Port had lost Visentini (ankle) and Ratugolea (hamstring) to complete the first-quarter carnage, but they found a response with Jack Lukosius (three goals) ending the Lions' run on his return from a long-term knee injury.
Gold Coast recruit Lukosius bombed two more huge majors from outside 50 metres as Port continued to rally from as far back as 40 points.
And when Georgiades managed a fourth, the margin was only 16 with 12 minutes on the clock.
But Levi Ashcroft stubbed through a relieving major from close range that finally broke Port's back.
Jaspa Fletcher continued his fine season in Brisbane's defence, Hugh McCluggage had a goal and seven clearances in his 29 touches, Cameron led the forward-line defensive pressure, and Travis Boak (27) worked tirelessly for Port.
Powell-Pepper played just three games last season before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in April.
He looked in severe pain after falling in an attempt to change direction, then tried to run before heading for the rooms.
Esava wears his hamstring on his sleeve
Football fans can get a little emotional, but they often question whether the players they worship feel the same way about the colours they wear. On Saturday night Esava Ratugolea showed just how much it means to him. Lunging to spoil in the first quarter he injured his hamstring and was taken out of the game. On the sidelines he made it clear the emotional pain was greater than the physical, and if anyone is under the impression players just punch the clock and collect a paycheck, they better think again.
BRISBANE 8.4 9.8 14.10 18.12 (120)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.2 6.5 10.6 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Brisbane: Bailey 5, Cameron 3, Neale, McCluggage, Lohmann, Hipwood, Fort, Dunkley, W.Ashcroft, Ah Chee, Morris, L.Ashcroft
Port Adelaide: Georgiades 4, Lukosius 3, Rioli 3, Powell-Pepper 2, Richards, Horne-Francis
BEST
Brisbane: Bailey, McCluggage, Neale, Zorko, Andrews, Rayner
Port Adelaide: Butters, Rozee, Lukosius, Georgiades, Powell-Pepper
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Port Adelaide: Visentini (ankle), Ratugolea (hamstring), Powell-Pepper (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Darcy Gardiner (replaced Sam Day in the fourth quarter)
Port Adelaide: Hugh Jackson (replaced Dante Visentini in the first quarter)
Crowd: TBC at the Gabba
