PORT Adelaide has recovered from a slow start to kick clear of Melbourne and jump-start its season with a 61-point win at Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs.
The Power looked to be sliding to a listless defeat when two Jeff Garlett goals put the plucky Demons ahead by 24 points mid-way through the second quarter.
However, inspired by contested ball work from skipper Travis Boak and strong overhead marking from Justin Westhoff and Jay Schulz, the Power stormed back with a remarkable spurt in which they kicked six quick goals.
From the 17-minute mark of the second quarter until half time the Power dominated Melbourne completely and swiftly changed the course of the game. Ken Hinkley's men scored 6.1 (37) to nothing over that time, winning the contested possessions 22 to six and uncontested possessions 18 to one.
The Demons were powerless to stop Port wrenching back the lead as Brad Ebert and Boak started to dominate the clearances and Westhoff kicked a late pair of goals to see the Power go into the major break 14 points ahead.
Asked what sparked the turnaround, Hinkley was adamant that it came down to 'team care'.
"There was no doubt that it was our defence. We know that's when we play our best footy is when we get the ball and deny the opposition from getting (forward 50) entries, which helps us," Hinkley said.
"Melbourne is a really strong team when they get going, so it was a bit dangerous for us. But we gathered ourselves and got back on top."
The Demons halted Port's momentum in the third quarter, but couldn't hit the scoreboard themselves, and it was nearly 15 minutes until Matt Jones broke the deadlock with a goal for Melbourne.
Chad Wingard responded immediately and the Power's livewire forwards were soon able to break the game open, with goals to Robbie Gray, Paul Stewart and another for Wingard effectively ending the contest by three-quarter time.
Gray showed his class in the final term, setting up goals for Monfries and Matt White as the 24-degree heat seemed to take its toll on the tiring Demons.
Port kicked six goals to one in the final quarter to boost its percentage and finish the contest in style in front of an appreciative crowd of 4,866. It was the Power's equal-highest score of the year, the same as their total from the round five Showdown against the Crows.
For the Demons, Angus Brayshaw was a shining light, the No.3 draft pick of 2014 playing his best game for the club with 21 possessions, many of them contested.
Jesse Hogan started strongly with two early goals but disappeared out of the contest quickly, as did Garlett once Port's backline lifted its accountability.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos said it was worrying that these drop-offs keep occurring.
"It just illustrates the difference between our good and our bad (footy)," Roos said.
"Our good is very good but our bad is still far too disjointed as a team.
"Our worst footy is probably still similar to where we were last year, so that's concerning for us."
Ebert and Boak led from the front for the Power, while Ollie Wines worked his way through a Bernie Vince tag to compile a solid game.
Schulz proved to be most polished forward on the ground, kicking four crucial goals and proving a strong lead-up target throughout the final three quarters.
He was ably assisted by Angus Monfries in his 200th game, with the former Don setting up a couple of goals, and slotting three of his own despite close attention from Jack Grimes.
With their win-loss record back to a more respectable 4-5, the Power face the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval next week.
The Demons must lick their wounds over a nine-day break before taking on Collingwood at the MCG in the Queen's Birthday clash.
MELBOURNE 3.2 6.2 7.3 8.6 (54)
PORT ADELAIDE 1.2 8.4 12.6 18.7 (115)
GOALS
Melbourne: Hogan 2, Garlett 2, Spencer, Lumumba, M Jones, Fitzpatrick
Port Adelaide: Schulz 4, Monfries 3, Westhoff 2, Wingard 2, Amon, R Gray, Stewart, White, Krakouer, Ebert, Hartlett
BEST
Melbourne: Brayshaw, N Jones, McDonald, Hogan, Garland
Port Adelaide: Ebert, Boak, R Gray, Wines, Schulz, Wingard, Hartlett
INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Port Adelaide: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jack Viney replaced Neville Jetta in the third quarter
Port Adelaide: Nathan Krakouer replaced Karl Amon in the fourth quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Ryan, Pannell
Official crowd: 4,866 at TIO Traeger Park Oval, Alice Springs
