Robbie Gray has kicked four goals as a fast-finishing Port Adelaide overcame a spirited St Kilda for a 33-point victory.
Port trailed by 21 points deep into the third quarter but stormed home for a 20.13 (133) to 15.10 (100) win on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.
The Power booted nine of the last 10 goals to survive a scare from the Saints before a crowd of 43,807.
Gray was superb, midfielder Brad Ebert (three goals, 25 disposals) and Sam Gray (37 possessions) were prominent, and the brilliant Chad Wingard and trump recruit Charlie Dixon each kicked three goals.
Their feats helped Port overwhelm a Saints side inspired by Tom Hickey, who ruled the rucks with 56 hitouts and 20 disposals in an eye-catching performance.
Hickey fed a hungry St Kilda midfield led by Jack Steven (36 possessions), David Armitage (28 touches) and 250-gamer Leigh Montagna (29 disposals).
With lively goalsneak Jack Lonie scoring three goals, the Saints stretched out to a 21-point lead some 21 minutes into the third term.
But Port, who lost fleet-footed Matt White to a suspected pectoral muscle tear in the first term, stormed home.
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Robbie and Sam Gray, Wingard and Ebert lifted the home side, while former Gold Coast forward Dixon added menace.
Dixon provided a solid target but was wayward in front of goal before icing the result with Port's two last goals of the match.
Power coach Ken Hinkley said he was impressed with Dixon's first game with the Power.
"He's 60 minutes into his season as far as game time (entering) today so he was always going to be a bit underdone," he said.
"But by the end of the game, 3.3, and the amount of score we got from his contests was exactly why we brought him here."
Hinkley added he wasn't concerned about leaking so many points against the Saints.
"I don't mind the game being fast and frenetic," he said.
"I do mind giving up scores."
Saints coach Alan Richardson accused his players of losing their dare in the final term, and subsequently losing the game.
"There was a game that was up for grabs," Richardson said.
"Port Adelaide went to another level and we didn't go there. We fumbled, we didn't cope with the pressure.
"We just lost a bit of dare."