PORT Adelaide’s pressure was the key to victory in an upset win at Alberton Oval on Saturday as the Power caused a boilover by knocking off the previously undefeated Melbourne by two points. In a nail-biting contest, the more efficient Power kicked 6.7 (43) to 5.11 (41) to move to 2-3 on the season.

The Power had the far better start, leading at each change and increasing the gap from five points at quarter time to nine at the main break and then a commanding 17 points with a quarter to play. Melbourne stormed home booting three of the last four goals to cut the deficit to just two after a late Megan Fitzsimon behind.

Laying a whopping 85 tackles to Melbourne’s 69 and winning the clearances 23-19, Port Adelaide maintained the rage throughout the game to continually put the Demons under pressure both with and without the ball. Power coach Lauren Arnell said it was the “best” defensive pressure display of the season for her side.

“The key to today’s performance was really just helping the group get back to what we do best,” Arnell said. “I think our pressure was the best it’s been all season today, and certainly being bold with our offence and showing up in the contest which to be honest we were so disappointed with our inconsistent we were last week in Perth. Really nice, healthy lesson for our group in what we’re capable of.”

Melbourne love to chain the ball out of congestion to link up on transition with speed and score off the back of it, which was an element up until the last quarter that Port Adelaide had done well to deny.

“We know Melbourne are a high handball team and the Dees are a good side aren’t they? They nearly got us done today,” Arnell said. “For us to know that if we bring that level of pressure and that level of contest, the rest of our game is built off that. Really proud of the girls’ response particularly after returning from Perth.”

While the Dees got close in the final stages and had chances to get over the line, Arnell said it “says a bit about us” that her side was able to hold on against a quality opposition when the momentum was against them.

” We keep showing up and we keep giving the best of ourselves and we get results like that,” she said. “Again credit to Melbourne I think they’re a really good side, and they’ve had an epic start to the season.

“They certainly challenged us today, and I think again to our fans as well, being able to play here at Alberton at our home and have the number of fans, I think it was 2700 people who turned up today. We absolutely loved playing here and we can’t wait to be back here again next week against Geelong.”

Arnell praised the work of Abbey Dowrick (19 disposals, 13 tackles and five clearances) and Ashleigh Woodland (20 disposals, six tackles and five clearances) around the ball, getting it on the Power’s terms at the coalface.

“I think Abbey and Ash really lead our midfield, they were exceptional and to be fair to them, they haven’t had the greatest weeks in terms of health and body so I think for the two of them to show up in the way they did and really lead the way,” Arnell said. “Again two individuals I’mr really, really proud of and i think an important shoutout to our backline too, they stood up in some really big moments too.”