Port Adelaide have crashed Ben Cousins' party with a hard-fought 10-point win over Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The victory was set up with a 10-goal second term, although the Power still had to withstand a spirited Tigers comeback before kicking away again in the final quarter.

Port led by as many as 59 points in opening stages of the third term, but the Tigers roared back into it to close within a kick before the Power eventually won 18.14 (122) to 16.16 (112).

Cousins saw limited game time in the 270th and final match of a colourful career as he clearly showed the effects of the hamstring injury that threatened to keep him from taking the field.

He battled on bravely to finish the match with 21 touches, every one of which was greeted with a massive cheer from the 37,674 strong crowd.

While the Tigers produced a gallant fightback to almost steal the match, the Power were fully deserving of the win that that is sure to enhance interim coach Matthew Primus' chances of landing the senior role next year.

Port Adelaide have now won five of the seven matches Primus has been in charge of with the only losses coming to top-four sides St Kilda and Western Bulldogs.

Dean Brogan was a colossus in the ruck has he dominated his young Tiger opponents on his way to 29 hit-outs, 21 possessions, eight marks and a goal.

More often that not he gave his midfield first use of the ball and Travis Boak took full advantage with 31 touches, seven marks and three goals in a superb performance.

Kane Cornes and Dom Cassisi were consistent as always with 43 possessions between them, while Tom Logan (two goals) did a fine tagging job on Brett Deledio, restricting the dangerous Tiger to 23 possessions and little impact on the match.

Daniel Stewart showed why he is the main to lead the Power forward for many years to come as he booted four goals up forward and hauled in some massive contested marks.

Richmond youngster Dustin Martin continued his stellar debut season with 24 touches, while Mitch Morton also saw plenty of the ball and kicked three goals.

Jack Riewoldt, who had already secured the Coleman Medal before the start of the play, booted three goals as he finished the season with 78 goals, while Jake King bobbed up with three as well.

The match didn't come to life until the second term when the Power busted the game open with a magnificent five-goal burst inside 15 minutes.

Richmond were the own worst enemy with countless turnovers and ball-handling errors enabling Port to go forward with next to no pressure.

King did manage one goal for the Tigers to halt the run of seven consecutive Power goals and briefly reduce the deficit, but it was only temporary as Boak immediately replied down the other end.

Robbie Gray provided the highlight of the half with a superb right-foot snap from the pocket and the visitors added another two more goals to make it an even 10 for the term and a match-winning 53-point lead at the long break.

When Justin Westhoff kicked the opening goal of the second half it looked like the Power were on the way to a big victory, but suddenly the Tigers came to life with three straight majors.

Boak steadied for Port, but Richmond had another three in quick time, including a cracking 50m snap from the boundary line by Matt White to reduce the deficit to 28 points at the final change.

Richmond kept their momentum going with the first two goals of the last term and when Morton kicked two in a minute the Tigers had suddenly booted seven in a row to trail by less than a kick.

Troy Taylor thought he put them in front minutes later, but a free kick was awarded and Daniel Stewart converted a tough set shot down the other end to put the Power back up by nine.

Boak kicked truly from 40m out before setting up Gray to put Port up by 21 points and effectively seal the match.

The Tigers never gave up and kicked the final two goals of the match before Cousins and his team-mates did a lap of honour to a standing ovation.

RICHMOND: 2.6, 3.9, 9.13, 16.16 (112)
PORT ADELAIDE: 2.6, 12.8, 14.11, 18.14 (122)

GOALS: Richmond: Morton 3, King 3, Riewoldt 3, Cotchin 2, White 2, Post, Nahas, Collins
Port Adelaide: D. Stewart 4, Boak 3, Logan 2, P. Stewart 2, Gray 2, Cassisi, Brogan, Rodan, Davenport, Westhoff
BEST: Richmond: Morton, Martin, King, Cotchin
Port Adelaide: Brogan, Boak, Cassisi, Logan, D. Stewart
INJURIES: Richmond: O'Reilly (shoulder)
Port Adelaide: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nick Salter (calf) and Cameron Hitchcock (ankle) replaced in Port Adelaide's selected side by Jason Davenport and Michael Pettigrew
UMPIRES: Margetts, Findlay, Bowen
CROWD: 37,674 at Etihad Stadium