West Coast have been left frustrated as a dour Port Adelaide defence denied the Eagles a fifth straight win and dealt a hammer blow to their finals hopes.

After a slow start left them chasing the game, the Eagles dominated for three quarters only for an unwavering Power defence to deny their chance to jump into the top eight with a 3.8 (26) to 3.4 (22) at Alberton Oval.

The Eagles won the clearance and inside 50 count, but a herculean effort from Port’s defence, led by 12 intercepts from Teagen Germech, withstood the storm to hold on for a thrilling victory.

Ella Roberts did all she could in a losing effort, racking up six clearances and 21 touches despite a heavy tag, but was shaded by Port Adelaide star Abbey Dorwick, who took home best on ground honours with a goal from her nine clearances and 25 touches.

But in a game of fine margins it was Port Adelaide’s will and aerial dominance that proved the difference, laying 38 more tackles than the Eagles and hauling in 54 marks to 21.

It left West Coast unable to overcome a two-point deficit in the final term despite keeping the Power goalless in the final term.

The loss sees the Eagles slip to a 4-5 record and lose ground to the edge of the eight with Fremantle now a game and four points ahead.

The tone was set early by Maria Moloney and Sineah Goody, who engaged in a physical tag on Roberts, pushing her off the ball on multiple occasions.

The Eagles struggled to stop the Power’s run, with their forward handball game exposing West Coast’s lack of depth in defence.

Ellie Hampson got out the back to score their first while Northampton product Julia Teakle was denied with blustery conditions pushing her shot into the post.

After a strong month, Charlotte Riggs was being dominated in the ruck by Matilda Scholz, as the Power turned the screws, but their misfiring forward line couldn’t capitalise, kicking 1.3, allowing the Eagles to keep in touch despite a scoreless first quarter.

Alarm bells were ringing when poor discipline gave away a 50m penalty, allowing Sinaeh Goody to extend the home side’s advantage.

However, the Eagles changed their structure around stoppage to start getting their hands on the ball despite Scholz’s tap dominance.

The likes of Isabella Lewis and Courtney Rowley ran through stoppage, allowing Roberts, who was beginning to break her tag, to shark off the back.

But with key forward Amy Franklin blanketed by Ebony O’Dea, targets inside 50 were hard to come by.

It was up to Lewis to break the drought, running through a forward 50 stoppage, to finish from close range before Keeley Skepper produced a smart finish to give them two in two minutes.

The Eagles began to dominate territory, but Ghermach was putting in a huge shift, well supported by O’Dea.

Abby Dowrick was going band for band with Roberts in the middle and snuck forward to give Port some breathing room before Skepper produced another great finish to hit back.

The rest of the third quarter was played in the Eagles’ forward half with 25 to 14 inside 50s, but the Power’s defence stood tall to somehow deny the Eagles the lead and in the end the vicotry.

SCOREBOARD

PORT ADELAIDE 1.3 2.4 3.5 3.8 (26)

WEST COAST 0.0 2.2 3.3 3.4 (22)

Goals - PORT ADELAIDE: E Hampson S Goody A Dowrick. WEST COAST: K Skepper 2 B Lewis.

Best - PORT ADELAIDE: A Dowrick T Germech E Hampson M Scholz P Window WEST COAST: E Roberts A Bushby J Britton C Thomas I Lewis.

UMPIR.ES: A Bennett M Willcox K Bayre. CROWD: Around 2600 at Alberton Oval.