Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams hailed his undermanned side's win over Hawthorn at the MCG one of the Power's finest AFL victories.

The scores were level at three-quarter time, but the Power booted seven goals to three in the final quarter and posted their third win of the season, 17.13 (115) to 12.13 (85).

Beating the reigning premiers is pleasing any time, but even more so with captain Domenic Cassisi and Peter Burgoyne suspended, and star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne a late withdrawal through knee soreness.

In a great day for the visitors veteran forward Warren Tredrea bagged six goals, including the 500th of his career and Tom Logan took a candidate for mark of the year as the Hawks were made to look ordinary

A buoyant Williams told his players to savour the occasion and rated the win one of the club's best outside of finals.

"I'm saying it was, I said to the boys after the game it doesn't get much better than this so soak it up," he said.

"Football is so fleeting that you tend to move on very quickly to the next game, but (I said) at least enjoy it for five or 10 minutes and hopefully they do."

Far from being daunted by taking on the reigning premiers at their home ground, Port drew inspiration from playing the Hawks and a return to the MCG, where they have won on nine of their past 11 visits, after struggling at the venue in their formative years as an AFL club.

"The opposition, the fact is we really rate them, and we don't get too many opportunities to play at the MCG much, so the occasion," Williams said.

"If you look at the MCG record, we might have lost the first nine or so games but, gee, we really look forward to getting back here and lap up the opportunity if anyone gives us a game here."

Port's preparedness to run hard and force the Hawks into error continually set up scoring chances, even though it took until the last quarter to put Hawthorn away.

Acting skipper Kane Cornes shut down Hawthorn counterpart Sam Mitchell, and Danyle Pearce and David Rodan - who flew to Melbourne on Saturday morning to replace Burgoyne - were excellent in midfield.

In defence, Troy Chaplin and Alipate Carlile coped comfortably with the Hawks' star forwards Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin, who booted three goals but squandered several other chances.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson conceded his side - who have lost three of its four games - got what they deserved.

And with so many good players either off-form or sidelined, Hawthorn's title defence is under threat and Clarkson said they could not afford such a fall in intensity after last week's win over North Melbourne.

"We're a very, very good side when we're intense and hungry and work hard for one another, but we're just an ordinary side at best, like we showed today, when that intensity is below par," he said.

Defender Brent Guerra (hamstring tightness) joined Hawthorn's casualty ward, but Clarkson was confident the Hawks had the mettle to respond.

"We've got a very, very proud club, we've got every faith in this club that we're going to get back there," he said.

"But we've had a couple of performances over the last two or three weeks that were below our usual standard, and we'll work hard to get our season back on track."

Port's Cassisi will return for Friday night's big clash against St Kilda, but Peter Burgoyne has one more game to serve and his brother is not certain to return.

Hawthorn play West Coast in a twilight game in Launceston on Anzac Day.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP