Indy Tahau has kicked four goals as Port Adelaide boosted their AFLW finals prospects and dented those of the Western Bulldogs with a fighting 19-point win at Alberton Oval.
Both sides started the game with a 2-5 record, but Port climbed above Fremantle and Essendon on percentage to move up to 11th, one win outside the top eight, while the Bulldogs are 14th.
Six straight second half goals propelled Port to a 8.6 (54) to 5.5 (35) win in a hard fought contest on Saturday.
The visitors had a double digit lead for a fair portion of the game, but couldn't get it beyond 15 points at any stage.
While the Bulldogs moved the ball better early in the game and harried Port with their pressure, the home team lifted their intensity and dictated terms for much of the second half.
Strong forward target Tahau kicked Port's first goal of the game in the second quarter, two more in the third and one in the last.
She kicked three goals in each of Port's two previous wins this season.
"All the guys doing the work for me allowed me to have those moments. I play a pretty disconnected role so definitely credit to the girls for getting it down to me and trusting me one v one," Tahau told Fox Footy.
The Bulldogs controlled much of the play from halfway through the first quarter until late in the second, but didn't capitalise.
Sarah Hartwig was the chief culprit starting with three behinds and another shot which didn't score, but kicked two goals in the second quarter.
Over the game, Port won 14 less contested possessions, but had four more clearances and found their offensive flow In the second half.
"They brought the heat, their pressure increased, contest numbers were better so they outworked us around the contest and in clearance so they had probably had better field position than us for a lot of the second half," Bulldogs coach Tamara Hyett said.
Abbey Dowrick was dynamic for Port, tallying 21 touches, 10 clearances and nine tackles.
Isabelle Pritchard was enormous for the Bulldogs, logging 26 disposals.
Bulldog Elisabeth Georgostathis was helped off the ground in the second half with what looked like a serious injury.
"I don't think (it's) an ACL, but we'll probably get that scanned, and checked when we get back in Melbourne," Hyett said.
Bulldog Cleo Buttifant also left the game prematurely after aggravating an old knee issue.
