Port Adelaide star Dan Houston is facing a lengthy suspension on the eve of the AFL finals over a high bump on Izak Rankine in his side's 22-point win over arch-rivals Adelaide.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Tensions boiled over when Houston laid out Rankine with a shirt-front during the third quarter of the Power's fiery 11.14 (80) to 8.10 (58) victory at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
Rankine was eventually helped to his feet and driven off the ground on a medical cart with concussion.
The high contact and damage inflicted on Rankine means All-Australian defender Houston is likely to be referred directly to the tribunal, putting his participation in Port's finals campaign in doubt.
"To comment on that would be unfair," Power coach Ken Hinkley said.
"Thoughts (are with) Izak first and foremost, and hopefully he's OK.
"Dan is a very, very fair footballer. Split-second decisions unfortunately are right or wrong.
"We'll let the people make those decisions that need to make those decisions."
Zak Butters (42 disposals, 10 clearances) and Connor Rozee (28, nine) starred as the Power locked in a top-four spot with their victory, earning a finals double-chance for the fourth time in five seasons.
The result also snapped Port's three-match losing streak against the Crows and levelled the overall record between the South Australian rivals at 28-28.
Jason Horne Francis was influential with 23 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, while Willie Rioli (three), Francis Evans and Darcy Byrne-Jones (two each) also kicked multiple majors.
Butters, Rozee, Ollie Wines and ruckman Jordon Sweet led Port to a convincing 52-38 win in clearances.
"It's satisfying because it puts us in a really good position for a season that we've worked damn hard for," Hinkley said.
"In an up and down season we find ourselves in a reasonable position, but we've got to win again next week."
Matt Crouch (29 touches), Jordan Dawson (26) and Rory Laird (24) were all busy for Adelaide as Rankine and Darcy Fogarty kicked two goals each.
The Crows led 6.6 to 4.9 at halftime but were held goalless in the third quarter and were out-scored seven goals to two in the second half.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks conceded his side didn't handle the Houston-Rankine flashpoint as well as they would have liked.
"It was a pretty good lesson for us in what it looks like when emotions are high and adrenaline is pumping," Nicks said.
"Every person in the stadium would've felt it. We weren't quite able to contain ourselves."
Adelaide's Josh Rachele lit the pre-match fuse on Adelaide radio when he claimed "Port supporters don't have many teeth" and said he didn't care if Power fans jeered him.
Rachele kicked a brilliant second-quarter goal and goaded the Port faithful by pointing to his teeth as he celebrated in their faces on the boundary line.
But Power fans in the 52,459-strong crowd had the last laugh, with their side now able to lock in a top-two spot with victory over Fremantle at Optus Stadium in the final match of the home-and-away season.
Adelaide will complete their year against ladder leaders Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.
Australian Associated Press
