Port Adelaide pip Richmond in AFL thriller

Port Adelaide great Robbie Gray has coolly slotted a clutch set-shot to give the Power a nerve-jangling two-point AFL win over Richmond.

Gray’s 45-metre match-winner from a tight angle ensured Port held off the Tigers for an 11.13 (79) to 11.11 (77) triumph. on Friday night.

Connor Rozee celebrates a goal during Port Adelaide’s thrilling Round 4 win over the Tigers. Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Gray’s feat – the last goal of the game – came with about four minutes remaining in a rugged encounter at Adelaide Oval.

Richmond have now lost in rounds three and four – their first consecutive defeats since the same rounds last season, when they went on to claim the premiership.

And Port gained precious early breathing space on the ladder with a third win from four starts.

The Power prevailed despite losing Zak Butters (ankle) and Xavier Duursma (concussion) in the last quarter, Rozee and defender Tom Clurey struggling with corked thighs and goalsneak Orazio Fantasia rolling an ankle.

“That was a remarkable performance by us,” Power coach Ken Hinkley said.

“By the end of it, I think we had six blokes who were copping a bit here and there, whether they be corkies, sore knees, ankles.

“There was a fair bit going out there in the carnage.”

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Power onballers Travis Boak (29 disposals, seven clearances) and Ollie Wines (27 touches, five clearances) and winger Karl Amon (25 possessions) were standouts.

Teammate Scott Lycett ruled the rucks and collected 20 disposals while forwards Steven Motlop and Connor Rozee kicked two goals each.

Richmond defender Jayden Short was outstanding with a game-high 31 touches featuring 10 rebounds from his side’s defensive 50m zone.

Short’s fellow backman Bachar Houli (26 touches) and megastar Dustin Martin (23 touches, one goal) were solid and Jack Riewoldt booted three goals.

Port controlled the opening half, though their reward was minimal because of wayward goalkicking – they missed six set-shots in the second quarter alone.

The Power’s 6.10 to 6.3 halftime lead came with 14 more inside 50s than the Tigers.

“Port Adelaide were terrific, probably had their chance in the second quarter where they could have buried us,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

“But I thought our guys fought back really valiantly and had some chances to win, just couldn’t nail them.”

In the third term, Richmond took a seven-point lead but Port immediately rallied with three goals in a tick over five minutes.

The Power held a 10-point buffer at three quarter-time but a brilliant crumbed goal from Tiger ace Martin two minutes into the final term reduced the margin to five.

After trading goals, Richmond’s Kane Lambert put the visitors in front with seven minutes remaining, only for the ice-cool Gray to respond with the match winner.