West Adelaide has continued its resurgence under the guidance of Andy Collins with a rare victory over the Port Adelaide Magpies at Alberton. The Bloods held off a spirited Magpies in a thrilling final quarter to claim their third win for the season with a four-point triumph.

Jarrod Young had an opportunity to be a hero for the home side but his set shot after the siren for goal from 30m and in front sailed through for a point.

"We are starting to get off our knees," Collins said.

"I'm hoping the two points will definitely keep us off the bottom of the ladder.

"There is a lot of work to do and already in the back of my mind is North Adelaide next week."

West Adelaide, enthusiastic and desperate, showed its growing confidence with a polished performance in the first half to lead by almost five goals.

The uncertain ball movement of last year has been replaced by vastly improved skills and a more cohesive, direct pattern of play.

Magpie James Meiklejohn dominated the ruckwork but the likes of Salim Hassan fed off his palm work to constantly spark the Bloods into action. There were always several Bloods unchallenged on the defensive side of the stoppages and they mopped up plenty of loose ball.

In a glaring lesson for the Bloods, when they did muck around with the ball in defence and deviated from the direct movement they got themselves into trouble.

The Bloods operated in numbers around the contest and their committed approach put the Magpies under pressure and created turnovers.

The visitors, led by skipper Ryan Ferguson, worked tirelessly to ensure plenty of personnel retreated into defence to thwart dangerous Magpie forward thrusts.

The lower-profile players such as Marc Borholm and Ben Fisher, who silenced Jeremy Clayton before the Magpies star was forced out of the game early in the third term with an ankle injury, had an influence and Daniel Webb marked strongly.

Magpies coach Tim Ginever said: "The first half was appalling and the worst we have played in 12 months.

"This is a huge statement but it almost felt like we were flirting with form we didn't have."

Whatever was said at half-time had an effect as the Magpies, sparked by Brad Murray, Mark Dolling Daniel Elstone and Steven Summerton in the midfield, lifted the intensity.

The complexion of the contest altered dramatically as the Magpies, who benefited from some shocking umpiring decisions, had the momentum and the Bloods found themselves under siege and panicked into turnovers.

Joel Perry was a powerful target in attack for the Magpies, but wasted opportunities in front of goal would come back to haunt the home side.

While the Magpies became the hunter, the Bloods seemingly lost their self belief, became hesitant and slipped back into old habits of sloppy skills under stress.

"The second half is what we have seen in the last three weeks," Ginever said. 

Story by Warren Partland
Courtesy of The Advertiser

Port 9.16 70
West 11.8 74

Alberton Oval

Port Adelaide Magpies
Goal Kickers: J. PERRY 5, J. ERSKINE 2, J. MEIKLEJOHN, D. ELSTONE
Best Players: J. PERRY, S. SUMMERTON, C. AH CHEE, B. MURRAY, M. DOLLING, D. ELSTONE 

West Adelaide
Goal Kickers: R. WILLITS 3, J. Davenport 2, W. CHAMPION, S. HASSAN, D. CUPIDO, B. Davies, J. BEECH, F. Caruso
Best Players: R. Ferguson (c), B. FISHER, S. HASSAN, D. CUPIDO, J. Davenport, S. Bailey

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