PORT ADELAIDE 5.6 Â 8.9 Â 14.10 Â 18.13 (121)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.3 Â 6.6 Â 10.6 Â Â 12.9 (81)
GOALS:Â Port Adelaide -Â Â Wingard 3, Young 2, Wines 2, Ryder 2, R Gray 2, Powell-Pepper 2, Dixon, Hartlett, Neade S Gray, Boak. Brisbane Lions -Â Bastinac 3, Zorko 2, Hipwood 2, Andrews, Barrett, Taylor, Lester, Rockliff.
BEST: Port Adelaide - Ryder, R Gray, Wines, Ebert, Broadbent, Powell-Pepper. Brisbane Lions - Zorko, Bastinac, Beams,Hipwood, Rich, Lester.
INJURIES: Port Adelaide - Polec (right hamstring).
UMPIRES: Sam Hay, Dean Margetts, Andrew Stephens, Curtis Deboy.
CROWD: 31,772 at Adelaide Oval.
Losing is never a good result, but for Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan there was some solace against Port Adelaide in picking up the "Encouragement Trophy".
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Port smash Lions
Port Adelaide improved from their 70 point defeat the round previous to smash the Brisbane Lions.
To place this ordinary encounter in perspective, the Lions had previously played at Adelaide Oval four times for an average losing margin of 103.75 points. After losing to the Crows here in round 20 last year then-coach Justin Leppitsch said "half of our boys should not be playing [AFL football]".
And, despite stunning Fremantle by 57 points last week, they were a $10 chance and no one rated them. Not even the Power fans were excited with the second-lowest attendance of 31,772 at this revamped Adelaide Oval.
OK, the Lions still lost, but Fagan should look at that tin cup this morning and note that his side is at least going forward. They should be playing AFL football.
The win saw Port slip into fourth spot at Richmond's expense, but  to be strongly challenged by these young and bottom-ranked Lions raised questions whether the Power were the real thing. They have now beaten the Lions twice this season and their other wins have also been against strugglers.
However, when a mean machine like Port is not quite primed, seizing the points from a determined, albeit work-in-progress, side is nonetheless taken with both arms. There is no doubt that Port have that ability to respond under pressure. They gave the Lions too much freedom, especially in the first half. The effort was there as indicated by the tackles, contested possessions and clearances, not to mention dominating the inside-50s, but let themselves down by failing to finish off some of their quality play.
It was only two goals late in time-on that gave Port control, a 15-point lead, and they revved up the pace in the third quarter. While Brisbane earned respect for maintaining the fight, their skills level waned under the pressure, and stung by a Ken Hinkley half-time message, Port took control.
Paddy Ryder probably secured his All-Australian selection this year with a superb performance in ruck. As always, he was a tireless worker, and his dominance helped Port enormously to establish an advantage with the centre clearances and around the ground. Robbie Gray was also at his brilliant best, and his impressive teamwork resulted in excellent team goals.
Overall, the Lions produced a solid team effort, and typically Dayne Zorko had plenty of touches. Ryan Lester was solid, as were Daniel Rich and Sam Mayes. Tom Rockliff had quality moments under extreme pressure. Eric Hipwood, in his 22nd game, again showed his is a great AFL future.
It wasn't the finest exhibition seen, but given the pressure both teams have been under of late it was for most part entertaining.
Fagan may have walked away with a tin cup, but Hinkley worked his side well for the  points to give Port a 33-32 win/loss record over the Lions, plus two drawn games.
Sometimes it takes a grinding win like this one  to get a machine cranking again, and it could not come sooner for the Power. They face stern challenges over the next few weeks against Collingwood (MCG), Richmond (Adelaide) and West Coast Eagles (Domain).
Votes
PÂ Ryder (PA)Â 8
RÂ Gray (PA)Â 8
OÂ Wines (PA)Â 8
DÂ Zorko (BL)Â 8
BÂ Ebert (PA)Â 7