Swans pip Power in thriller

Sydney has recorded a thrilling 11-point win against a desperate Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

The Swans led for three quarters before a Daniel Motlop-inspired Power hit the front midway through the fourth term.

But the visitors scored three late majors to record a 16.9 (105) to 14.10 (94) victory.

A Tim Schmidt checkside set-shot saw Sydney regain the lead while Jarrad McVeigh sealed the result when he booted the match winner from close range.

Brett Kirk was best on ground with 31 possessions, Jude Bolton was busy, Adam Goodes lifted in the final term while Jarred Moore bobbed up with three clever goals.

Brett Ebert kicked six majors for the Power while Dominic Cassisi and Steven Salopek collected 26 touches each.

Sydney's victory keeps them in the touch with the top four while the Power are now in danger of losing touch with the eight.

The Power were expecting a tough in-and-under Sydney but were drawn into an early shoot-out by the visitors.

An impressive 14.2 was scored in the 36-minute first quarter with the Swans moving the ball quickly from defence into attack.

It was the team's small forwards that had the greatest impact with Ryan O'Keefe proving elusive while Ebert chimed in with three goals for Port.

The home side grew in confidence as the term progressed but the Swans were deserved 12-point leaders at the first break.

Scoring became more of a challenge in the second quarter with errors creeping into the contest.

Sydney's foot skills were superior and when Darren Jolly and Moore kicked majors in the space of two minutes, the Swans threatened to break the game open.

But Port battled on and, with its skipper Warren Tredrea in good form, was able to stay in touch.

Tredrea kicked two goals for the term, with his second major ensuring the difference was 11 points at the long break.

A Robbie Gray tackle set Ebert up for his fifth goal early in the second half.

But the Power couldn't find the elusive follow up score that would put them in front for the first time in the clash.

It was a real scrap with both sides bottling up play but a quiet Michael O'Loughlin came to life with two goals in 80 seconds.

Some good bodywork saw Ebert peg one back but the Swans remained in control and went into the final change with a 14-point buffer.

The Power couldn't have asked for a better start to the fourth quarter with Peter Burgoyne and Daniel Motlop scoring opportunist goals in the opening two minutes.

And when Ebert hit the post it was a point the difference.

It was a desperate scrap by both sides before Motlop chimed in again with a long major to put the Power in front.

Port dominated the term but Sydney finally broke free and Moore streamed away from Power defenders to level the scores at the 22nd minute mark.

The game was headed towards a draw before the Schmidt and McVeigh scores.

PORT ADELAIDE: 6.1, 9.5, 11.7, 14.10 (94)
SYDNEY: 8.1, 11.4, 13.9, 16.9 (105)

GOALS: PORT ADELAIDE: Ebert 6, Tredrea 3, Motlop 2, Lade, Gray, P.Burgoyne
SYDNEY: Moore 3, O'Keefe 2, Buchanan 2, O'Loughlin 2, McVeigh 2, Bevan, Kirk, Bolton, Jolly, Schmidt
BEST: PORT ADELAIDE: Ebert, Salopek, Cassisi, Boak, P.Burgoyne, D.Pearce, Tredrea
SYDNEY: Kirk, J.Bolton, Goodes, Moore, C.Bolton, Jack, Jolly, Mattner
INJURIES:PORT ADELAIDE: Salopek (ankle), Ebert (ankle)
SYDNEY: TBC
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
UMPIRES: Margetts, Rosebury, McInerney
CROWD: 25,013 at the AAMI STADIUM

Sportal AFL Player of the Year votes:
3. B. Kirk (Sydney)
2. J. Bolton (Sydney)
1. B. Ebert (Port)