Port Adelaide confirmed its position on top of the AFL ladder with an epic one point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

In what was the match of the year to date, the Power kicked 15.14 (104) to 15.13 (103) in front of 32,043 to ensure its favouritism for the AFL premiership.

It was the Lions' fifth loss in their past seven matches, ensuring they drop out of the top four at the end of the round.

In what has become a habit in games between the teams over the past few years, the lead continually changed throughout the match in an encounter which lived up to all pre-match expectations.

The Lions held a one point lead at quarter-time and at the main break but the Power grabbed a five-point advantage at three quarter-time to set up a nailbiting finish.

The two teams went goal for goal in the last quarter.

At the 22nd minute mark of the final term the Power held an 11 point lead before Lions ruckman Clark Keating kicked his second for the quarter to cut the margin to five.

With four minutes left, Jason Akermanis kicked his second for the Lions to grab a one point lead but a point from the Power's Roger James with less then two minutes remaining drew scores level.

James kicked another behind with 30 seconds left to give the Power the win.

Both teams can hold their heads high with the Lions' Jonathan Brown, Martin Pike, Simon Black and Michael Voss getting plenty of possessions.

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