Port Adelaide morphed from chump to champ to reignite its premiership defence with a courageous 15-point triumph over the Western Bulldogs.

The Power kicked eight goals in a devastating 25 minute burst which propelled it to a 17.16 (118) to 15.13 (103) win at AAMI Stadium.

The Bulldogs had the reigning premier on the ropes and led by 19 points minutes into the third quarter.

But Port then unleashed a spectacular stanza of play which reaped eight goals in 25 minutes to seize the advantage and set it on course for its fifth victory of a challenging season.

Power forward Byron Pickett booted four goals and Josh Francou three, while the Bulldogs' primary avenue to goal was Ryan Hargrave, who kicked three majors.

Port's bountiful period in the third term was critical - in every other quarter it was outscored by Western Bulldogs side sparked by precocious onballer Adam Cooney.

Cooney kicked three goals and gathered a swag of possessions, inspiring his side to a 13-point halftime lead.

The Bulldogs' outplayed a shoddy Port in the opening half, restricting a surprisingly meek Power to just four first half goals.

Port's opening stanza was woeful, featuring basic skill errors which had coach Mark Williams fuming and Power fans bemoaning their seemingly slipping finals aspirations.

But Port, sparked by evergreen Francou, Pickett and defenders Chad Cornes and Peter Walsh, suddenly clicked into the form it demonstrated last year when the South Australian club claimed its first premiership.

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