Port Adelaide has moved to within touching distance of the top eight with a 59-point win over Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

Having lost four of their last five games going into the clash, the 19.12 (126) to 9.13 (67) win moved the Power level – momentarily, at least – with arch-rival Adelaide on nine wins.

It also ensured Essendon would have to fret over its position in the top eight for another week, with the Bombers handing their rivals the chance to close the gap this weekend.

Both teams will now ride the rollercoaster of an exciting and unpredictable last three weeks.

Precocious talents Xavier Duursma and Connor Rozee provided the spark Port Adelaide played with throughout the match. Duursma finished with 26 disposals, while Rozee kicked 2.5 from 22 touches in a lively display of their potential.

They led from the example of Gray, who kicked four goals from 19 disposals, doing his damage early to set the tempo for Port Adelaide's performance.

Zach Merrett (31 disposals, one goal) and Dylan Shiel (30 disposals, one goal) were busy for Essendon, but the Dons could only lick their wounds after a bitterly disappointing display.

Despite its fluctuating and frustrating run of form over the last five weeks, Port Adelaide had looked the more assured side throughout an entertaining and end-to-end first half.

Gray was at the heart of it all. He delivered two goals from set-shots in the opening term, before handing Cam Sutcliffe another on a plate with a classy pick-up moments later.

A third goal for Gray quickly followed. As did the boos from the Bombers faithful.

His off-the-ball bump on Orazio Fantasia, who was getting to his feet after a heavy collision, drew the ire of Essendon's supporters – and teammate Mason Redman.

After the Bombers had closed an early deficit, Redman's behind-play shove on Gray resulted in a 50m penalty right on the stroke of half-time. Travis Boak duly delivered, helping to extend Port Adelaide's handy advantage to 16 points at the main change.

Fantasia, meanwhile, joined a sorry-looking Essendon bench.

Aaron Francis was rotated from the field heavily after an early bump, Adam Saad was feeling his hamstring, while Darcy Parish was withdrawn due to concussion.

All of this after Shaun McKernan was ruled out prior to the game due to illness.

It made closing on the Power difficult throughout a frustrating second half for the Bombers, as the visitors began to overrun and overpower their tiring opponents.

Port Adelaide kicked six unanswered goals on either side of three-quarter time, well and truly sticking a dagger into Essendon's hopes of another come-from-behind win.

Seemingly within an instant, the margin had ballooned to beyond nine goals – with the score line reflective of Port Adelaide's complete dominance and its timely return to form.

MEDICAL ROOM
Essendon: Aaron Francis copped an early knock and received treatment throughout the first quarter, even heading down the race at one stage. However, he returned early in the second term. Darcy Parish was withdrawn in the second quarter and sat out the rest of the match after failing a concussion test, while Adam Saad felt his hamstring in the second term. Shaun McKernan had already been ruled out prior to the game due to illness.

Port Adelaide: Zak Butters copped a heavy hit to the chest in the first quarter, coming straight from the field as he was struggling to catch his breath. He sat out nearly an entire quarter, before eventually returning after half time. 

NEXT UP
Essendon returns to Marvel Stadium on Saturday night to face top-eight challenger the Western Bulldogs, while Port Adelaide heads home to the Adelaide Oval to host Sydney on Saturday afternoon.

ESSENDON             2.4     5.7     8.10       9.13 (67)
PORT ADELAIDE    5.2     8.5     14.9    19.12 (126)

GOALS
Essendon: Fantasia 2, Snelling 2, Stringer 2, Shiel, Merrett, Francis
Port Adelaide: R.Gray 4, Marshall 3, Rozee 2, Houston 2, Amon, S.Gray, Sutcliffe, Butters, Boak, Duursma, Ryder, Powell-Pepper

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Shiel, Snelling, McKenna, Francis
Port Adelaide: Houston, Byrne-Jones, R.Gray, Duursma, Rozee, Rockliff, Powell-Pepper

INJURIES
Essendon: McKernan (illness) replaced in selected side by Hartley, Parish (concussion)
Port Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stephens, Meredith, Williamson

Official crowd: 42,940 at Marvel Stadium