Essendon has suffered a 69-point loss to Port Adelaide, with the home side running out 17.9 (111) to 6.6 (42) winners at Adelaide Oval.

The result see the Bombers back to level pegging at 2-2 with the on-the-road defeat that will leave a sour taste after a promising start to the season. Archie Perkins' hamstring injury further added to the pain for the Bombers on a poor night. 

Jade Gresham was a shining light in a dark day with three goals, while Captain Zach Merrett continued his stellar start to 2024, gathering 36 disposals, five clearances and 657 metres-gained.

The early combative nature of the game faded in the second quarter as the Power flexed their muscle to kick six goals to one for the term and extend their lead to 35 points by half-time.

The result was a non-contest in the second half, with Essendon only able to manage two goals in the second half as the Power ran out comfortable winners.
 
PORT ADELAIDE          4.0     10.3     13.7     17.9 (111)
ESSENDON                   3.3       4.4      6.5        6.6 (42)  

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Rozee 3, Rioli 3, Finlayson 3, Byrne-Jones 3, Georgiades 2, Soldo, McEntee, Marshall
Essendon: Gresham 3, Stringer, Perkins, Jones

BEST
Port Adelaide: Rozee, Horne-Francis, Butters, Finlayson, Rioli
Essendon: Gresham, Merrett, McKay, Duursma, Caldwell

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Boak (back)
Essendon: Perkins (hamstring)

SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Jase Burgoyne (replaced Travis Boak in the third quarter)
Essendon: Nick Hind (replaced Jye Menzie in the third quarter)

Crowd: 47,641 at Adelaide Oval