The GIANTS have withstood a late Port Adelaide fightback to jump back into the top-eight with a 22-point win at Adelaide Oval on Sunday night.
The GIANTS led by 35 points late in the third quarter before the Power responded with four straight goals – three to Charlie Dixon – to close the deficit to nine points.
But goals to Adam Tomlinson and Zac Langdon sealed the win for the GIANTS, 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) in front of a crowd of 34,693.
It's the GIANTS' fourth straight win over the Power, and more importantly, their fifth from their past six games to move to sixth on the ladder on 42 points (10-6-1).
The Power are fifth (44 points; 11-6) but have lost their past two games and missed a golden chance to stay in touch with Richmond and West Coast at the top of the ladder.
The GIANTS were well led by midfield quartet Josh Kelly, Jacob Hopper, Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield, Nick Haynes and Heath Shaw were great in defence and Dawson Simpson was dominant in the ruck.
"We understand it's a huge result for our footy club," GIANTS coach Leon Cameron said.
"It was a contest that at times, probably wasn't the prettiest of contests, but it was one that was built on resilence and grit and determination.
"Our guys were clearly up for the challenge, and it made me really proud, because we found a way when Port kept on coming at us."
Ollie Wines, Jared Polec and Chad Wingard were the Power's best, while defender Jarrod Lienert was solid in his AFL debut.
It was all the GIANTS early as they kicked five goals to one to lead by 28 points early in the second quarter.
The GIANTS' defence was superb, cutting off numerous attacking raids from the Power, who didn't have a tall target with Dixon starting in the ruck in the absence of the injured Paddy Ryder.
The Power's ball use was horrible, turning the ball over constantly and allowing the GIANTS the opportunity to move the ball quickly in transition.
"We make it pretty hard, we understand that, but there's no fairy dust, can't sprinkle something on it and turn it around," Power coach Ken Hinkley said of his team's skill errors.
"Like every club, you work incredibly hard to fix up your deficiencies.
"We've still got some areas that hurt us, one is our skill."
The end result was a 26-point lead to the GIANTS at half-time – 7.7 (49) to 3.5 (23).
In response, the Power made two key tactical moves.
The first was to move Dixon back to full-forward, and have Ollie Wines and Brad Ebert almost concede the ruck, while key defender Dougal Howard was also given the ruck duties.
The other was to have Darcy Byrne-Jones play as a defensive forward on the damaging Whitfield, who had 17 first-half disposals.
Both moves worked.
Dixon gave the Power a focal target in attack, while Byrne-Jones kept Whitfield under control.
Goals to Coniglio and Hopper pushed the GIANTS' lead to 34 points at the 22-minute mark of the third quarter.
Power speedster Steven Motlop was a late withdrawal through illness, replaced by Jack Trengove.
The GIANTS also had a late change, with defender Lachie Keefe replacing Sam Taylor (corked leg).
MEDICAL ROOM
Port Adelaide: The Power reported a clean bill of health.
GIANTS: The GIANTS also didn't report any injuries.
NEXT UP
The GIANTS will be warm favourites when they host St Kilda at Spotless Stadium next Saturday. Meanwhile, the Power travel to Ballarat to take on the Western Bulldogs at Mars Stadium next Sunday.
PORT ADELAIDE 1.0 3.5 7.8 8.10 (58)
GIANTS 4.3 7.7 9.12 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Dixon 3, R.Gray 2, Ebert, Boak, Westhoff
GIANTS: Himmelberg 2, Greene 2, Hopper 2, Taranto, Reid, Coniglio, Tomlinson, Langdon
BEST
Port Adelaide: Wingard, Wines, R.Gray, Polec, Dixon, Lienert
GIANTS: Shaw, Whitfield, Kelly, Ward, Hopper, Coniglio, Simpson
INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Steven Motlop (illness) replaced in the selected side by Jack Trengove
GIANTS: Sam Taylor (corked leg) replaced in the selected side by Lachlan Keeffe
Reports: TBC
Umpires: Dalgleish, Stevic, Gianfagna
Official crowd: 34,693 at the Adelaide Oval
