With two of the light towers failing during the warm up, the start time of the match was thrown in to question.
Ultimately the match started just a few minutes late when the lights were restored, but another failure in the second term saw the game played out with just three towers lit.
But the Power didn't let the drama effect them and they dominated from the opening bounce before going on to win 13.11 (89) to 10.14 (74) in humid, slippery conditions.
Power forwards Jay Schulz (three goals) and Robbie Gray (four) did the scoreboard damage, while Dean Brogan starred in the ruck as Port was rewarded for four quarters of hard work, even if its skills did not always match the effort.
Port failed to capitalise on its dominance in general play early in the match and the contest seemed to be sliding the Tigers' way when they edged to a nine-point half-time lead.
But the Power stormed in front with a 6.3 to 3.1 third quarter which gave them an 11-point lead at the last change.
Marks and goals early in the last quarter to Justin Westhoff and Schulz extended the lead to 24 points to ensure Port's drought-breaking win.
Brogan and midfielders Travis Boak and Danyle Pearce were key instigators of Port's second-half charge while Westhoff provided an excellent roaming target across half-forward and was one of the few marking players to shine.
Schulz provided plenty of grunt work in attack to help set up goals for his side's little men, as well as his own majors, while goalsneak Gray capitalised on the slippery conditions, with his two third-term goals helping break Richmond's back.
The Tigers had entered the match as hot favourites after winning a blockbuster against Essendon in front of more than 80,000 at the MCG last weekend, their fourth win in five games.
But they failed to show the same sort of poise or endeavour in front of 11,506 fans at Marrara Stadium.
Richmond midfielder Nathan Foley worked hard to win a heap of the ball, while Bachar Houli was a standout with his rebound from half-back.
Port full-back Alipate Carlile deserved credit for an excellent job on Jack Riewoldt, with two of the Tiger star forward's three goals coming late in the match when the contest was already decided.
FINAL SCORE
Port Adelaide: 13.11 (89) - R Gray 4, J Schulz 3, B Jacobs, C O'Shea, J Westhoff, M Broadbent, S Phillips, T Boak.
Richmond: 10.14 (74) - J Riewoldt 3, J King 2, D Jackson, D Martin, R Nahas, S Grigg, T Vickery.
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