PORT Adelaide has broken the Showdown shackles in the AFL Women’s competition after downing Adelaide by seven points in a “spicy” contest at Norwood Oval on Friday night. Needing to win to give themselves the slimmest of chances for finals, Port Adelaide held off a determined Crows outfit to get up , 7.10 (52) to 6.9 (45).

Coach Lauren Arnell said she was “really pleased” and “amazingly proud” of the players and what they had been able to achieve.

“It’s obviously the fourth Showdown and to win this one and to have the game on our terms for the majority and sustain a lot of heat in the game I thought showed a really sign of maturity from our players,” she said.

“I’ve just said to the players without overstating I do think winning a Showdown at this point in our program is defining for us. Being the last wave of expansion and getting this win tonight is a really important moment for us. It also allows us an opportunity to keep one little eye on finals as well.”

After trailing by nine points at quarter time, Port Adelaide piled on five consecutive goals through the middle two quarters to lead by 23 points at the final break. Adelaide charged home with a three goals to nil final term, but unlike the Power’s defeat to St Kilda – dropping a game in the largest ever three quarter time comeback – Port Adelaide was able to hold on.

“I think it was really just about taking the lessons that we needed, particularly earlier in the season,” Arnell said. “There were a lot of reflections across tonight where we’ve been in very similar moments against different teams.

“I think about the St Kilda game at three quarter time, very similar scoreline at three quarter time tonight and the way we were able to stick to the plan and remain calm and composed when Adelaide threw the absolute kitchen sink at us, is something to be really proud of. That really wasn’t that long ago. The second quarter was just about putting the game on our terms and the players putting their shoulders back and continuing the plan.”

When asked if she was worried about a repeat of the Saints’ loss, Arnell said the side had already put that to bed with some “mature” performances in recent weeks.

“I think we’ve shown some really strong maturity in the Bulldogs win and the Hawthorn win leading into tonight and you know we’ve had all the conversations that we’ve needed to and taken the learnings we’ve needed to from there,” she said. “It’s a really good reflection of our players and the growth that they show each week.”

While the team success was the biggest factor, defender-turned-forward Indy Tahau broke the competition record for most goals in a season (now 23). Her first of two was a ridiculous Goal of the Year contender that curved around the goal post to perfection.

“It’s amazing and I think that goal that she kicked to take the record is a special one and hopefully on the cards for Goal of the Year nomination as well,” Arnell said. “Indy’s had an incredible year and I think matured a lot as well without overstating that as well. I’ve noticed enormous growth this year and it’s really paying off for her.”

Port Adelaide only has a mere mathematical chance of making finals despite the late season form, with Adelaide and Fremantle facing off in an eights against 10th battle to grab a top eight spot, with only West Coast the vulnerable one inside the eight. However the Eagles have a whopping 19.8 per cent difference to the Power, so Port Adelaide would need to beat the Giants substantially, while hoping the Eagles get smashed by Carlton, and also needing Sydney to lose to Essendon.