The Demons started the match in a positive fashion, when Luke Tapscott unleashed a long bomb from outside 50 to kick the first goal.
And when Dom Tyson landed Melbourne’s second at the 18-minute mark, it was two goals to one in favour of the red and blue.
But the Power hit back with three goals in time-on to gain a 13-point lead at the first break.
Second quarter: Port Adelaide 7.6 (48) to Melbourne 5.5 (35)
The Power continued on from where it left the opening term with another three in a row to claim a 30-point lead.
But when Bernie Vince kicked Melbourne’s first for the term and ended Port Adelaide’s six-goal streak – from the 21-minute mark of the first term until the 13-minute mark of the second – it was the start of a Melbourne turnaround.
Cam Pedersen soon followed up with a goal and when James Frawley kicked truly after the half-time siren, the Demons had three in succession to cut the deficit back to just 13 points.
Third quarter: Port Adelaide 8.9 (57) to Melbourne 8.7 (55)
The Demons continued their outstanding comeback in the second half, booting the first three goals of the term – making it six consecutive majors – to claim a six-point lead at the 16-minute mark.
A brilliant goal on the run by Sam Blease was the first of Melbourne’s hat-trick of goals, with Jay Kennedy-Harris and Jack Watts, who put the Dees in front, following up.
It wasn’t until a major was kicked after the three quarter-time siren by Chad Wingard that Port Adelaide regained the lead by two points, setting up a potentially thrilling final term.
Final quarter: Port Adelaide 10.12 (72) d Melbourne 10.9 (69)
Five behinds were registered before Port Adelaide’s Aaron Young kicked the first goal of the final term, giving the Power a nine-point buffer.
But when Rohan Bail kicked an absolute ripper from the boundary and Dom Tyson followed up soon after – the Demons hit the front by three points in a magnificent final term.
However, when Jay Schulz converted at the 26-minute mark – the Power won by three points in an incredible heart stopper.
