Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has declared his side's 26-point upset win over Melbourne as his best as an AFL coach.
The Power were superb on Saturday at the MCG, serving up the first boilover of the season to down the Demons 12.15 (87) to 9.7 (61).
Justin Westhoff kicked five-straight goals and Tom Rockliff tallied 44 possessions in the win that marks the Power as a team to watch in 2019.
"What a day at the G, hey?" Hinkley exclaimed after the match.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. This is the best win I've been involved with at Port Adelaide including finals.
"Because of the side we put out there. Because of the braveness that we showed right through the summer.
"Because of the commitment of a great group of young people.
"I think there were a lot of doubters.
"I'm really pleased and really proud of them."
With four debutants and another two playing their first game for the club, there was plenty to like about Port, who finished 10th last season.
All played fine hands, particularly inside midfielder Willem Drew on debut and ex-Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton.
After shipping the first three goals of the game, the Power composed themselves.
Jack Watts recovered from an undisciplined first quarter to play an influential hand and Westhoff was a superb spearhead.
Scott Lycett outworked Max Gawn while Melbourne talls Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman had no impact.
Rockliff, Travis Boak and Sam Powell-Pepper were relentless at the contest but the Power changed the game on the outside.
On a humid day in Melbourne, the Demons couldn't go with Port's runners; the visitors finished with 92 more uncontested possessions.
For much of the afternoon, the teams remained within a couple of goals of each other.
First-gamer Zak Butters gave the Power their first lead in the second quarter with back-to-back majors.
Jake Melksham and Christian Salem were terrific for Melbourne as they won the lead back in the third term but Simon Goodwin's team couldn't make it stick.
With the match in the balance in the final term, Nathan Jones dropped a sitter on the 50-metre line before ex-Demon Jack Watts denied the hosts a major with a last-gasp mark.
Twenty seconds later the ball was in Westhoff's hands in the goal square for a momentum-halting goal that allowed Port to run away with the win.
While no doubt surprised by his side's poor round-one performance, Goodwin refused to be too downbeat.
"First and foremost we've got to acknowledge Port Adelaide. They were outstanding today," Goodwin said.
"We're going to build throughout the year ... a lot of guys have come out of post-season surgery.
"We're going to keep improving. It's one week and one game."
Australian Associated Press
