Port Adelaide met expectations on Sunday, swatting aside an undermanned Essendon by 64 points in their AFL twilight match at Telstra Dome.

While the match itself was never in doubt, the Power have now won their last three after the 0-4 start to the season and go into the break with their confidence back.

Daniel Motlop kicked seven goals and Steven Salopek was best afield as the Power took control from the start and then easily handled whatever the Bombers threw at them, winning 24.14 (158) to 15.4 (94).

"For us, it was a great start and we kept on going all day," said coach Mark Williams.

"People talked down their side and talked up their inexperience, all of it was true.

"We expected to win, we expected to play well and we did, so all you can do is deliver on those expectations, but we fully understand they were undermanned (by) a long way."

The Bombers had lots of legitimate excuses - 13 players out injured, three first-gamers, seven players in the side with 10 or fewer AFL games' experience, six changes from last week's side.

But Essendon coach Matthew Knights admitted whatever the personnel problems, his outfit did not play well.

"Even though we are personnel down, and significant personnel, you expect a team to play better," he said.

"We came here today to win the game, no matter ... that's irrelevant, with the players out.

"If you haven't got the players because of injury, you can't do much about it."

It was the Bombers' fourth-straight loss and they are now languishing at 2-5.

Knights also conceded the Bombers perhaps had to keep more faith with pre-game planning.

For example, first-gamer Darcy Daniher was shifted from attack, where he had shown some promising signs in the first term, onto Motlop during the second quarter.

Motlop promptly kicked two goals and Daniher was moved again.

"Maybe as a coaching group, we have to suck it in and hang tough with a few of those match-ups, even if they're not going well, just so we can keep those structures," Knights said.

In a dirty day for Essendon, Adam McPhee faces suspension after being reported for making head-high contact.

The AFL will also probably fine Essendon after captain Matthew Lloyd approached the umpires at quarter-time.

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