GOALS: West Coast: Cripps 2, Hill 2, Shuey 2, Sheed, Yeo, Kennedy, LeCras, Priddis. Port Adelaide: Gray 3, Wingard 2, Monfries, Schulz, Lobbe, White, Boak.

BEST: West Coast: Priddis, Mastern, LeCras, Shuey, Wellingham, Sheppard. Port Adelaide: Gray, Hartlett, Wingard, Homsch, Boak, Ryder.

INJURIES: Port Adelaide: Ebert (thigh).

CROWD: 38,508 at Adelaide Oval.

West Coast Eagles got into the act of a season of stunning upsets by tossing Port Adelaide in their so-called Portress by 10 points on Sunday night.

Defying the odds with their run of injuries, it was a gutsy win under pressure, and exposed what had been lingering for some weeks – that Port are not as good as they were last season.

It was more like Groudhog Day than Mother's Day as Port  led by 17 points at half-time like they did against the Crows after once more conceding more inside-50s.

But this time the Eagles produced their pace and polish to wear down the Power. It wasn't a great game in terms of skills, but when it came to pressure and the Eagles' amazing resilience, it was one of their best wins for some time.

When Josh Kennedy, with his left elbow heavily strapped, missed an easy shot from 25 metres after the three-quarter time siren, there was belief Port would make the Eagles pay dearly.

However, it was the Eagles who stood up better amidst incredible pressure, and given Port's standing in the competition and, at home, this was possibly their strongest sign yet the path coach Adam Simpson has taken on is a great one.

There was a lot to like about the manner in which, for most part, they played the game on their terms – slowing it down at the right time when Port desperately looked for their run, switching and attacking game, and West Coast finding answers from an array of players.

When Kane Mitchell applied a great tackle on Will Schofield 10 minutes into the last quarter to set up a goal for Chad Wingard, Port got within a goal and most thought the recovery was all but complete.

No one should now doubt the Eagles are a worthy top-eight side, you've just got to admire their resilience. This was a quality that earned Port so much praise the past two years, but it has been sorely lacking in their second-half efforts this season as they remain out of the top-eight at 3-3.

Port again conceded more inside-50 entries, but this time they paid a huge price. 

The second term was particularly telling on the Eagles as they pushed inside-50 13 times for 1.3, while Port went in nine times for 4.3. Again, the story of the Crows against Port a week earlier, but the Eagles found something special.

Kennedy wasn't his best because of his elbow but, gee, he inspired his teammates with his approach to tough contests.

The Eagles had a host of heroes, players like Jeremy McGovern, who backed up a gutsy effort with a telling mark in defence with less than a minute remaining. And when Luke Shuey snapped a goal with seconds remaining, a magnificent victory had been achieved.

Statistically, there wasn't a lot between these sides, apart from Port having more tackles – 92-58. This was largely due to the Eagles taking the game head-on and winning the tough loose ball.

Excellent in the tough-ball gets was Matt Priddis, who had 31 disposals – 21 of them contested – and applied a team-high nine tackles. Chris Masten was very good, so too were Mark LeCras and a host of others.

However, this win was about a team possessed with simply having a real go and not being prepared to listen to what it couldn't do.

Of course, Port also had some terrific performers, especially Robbie Gray, Hamish Hartlett and Wingard who has found better form, and not to mention an equally determine defence.

But for a change, Port was beaten by a side with a far greater will to win. There was no stopping the Eagles, and they have continued to defy the odds and most tipsters.