Leading by as much as 39-points early in the third term, the youthful Dogs line-up went down to the Power 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87) in the modified rules exhibition match at The Oval. 

Acting Bulldogs skipper Shaun Higgins led the way with three goals while Pat Veszpremi kicked two as did Liam Picken. 

Picken provided a highlight of the night for the 10,000 strong south London crowd with a spectacular mark in the second quarter. 

With the likes of Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney and Robert Murphy rested, Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said he used the 16-a-side game as a learning tool for his young players. 

"We saw a few get kicked against us and we thought let's see what they do without actually giving them too much help," he said. 

"A couple of the younger guys were a bit slow to react to what was happening, they (Port) played well and got a bit of momentum but we then fought back. 

"We weren't doing a lot of coaching, it was just have a look at them and let them run around." 

Racing out of the blocks, the signs were promising early for the Bulldogs who held a 17-point advantage at the first break courtesy of a four goals to one opening term. 

Early majors to Cordy, Jones, Dahlhaus and Veszpremi set the tempo, with Christian Howard and new recruit Koby Stevens having an early impact. 

Two goals in the second term to Higgins helped stretch the Dogs advantage to 25-points at the main break. 

As an afternoon game bathed in sunshine turned into a dual under lights, the Power peeled off nine unanswered goals in the second half to race back into the game and take a ten point lead early in the final term. 

The Bulldogs however rallied with four goals of their own early in the last quarter to regain the lead late in the game. 

Rested for the third term, acting captain Higgins returned to the ground to kick his third major, while Pat Veszpremi and Picken added to their goal tallies, as Tom Liberatore kicked his first. 

But Port answered the challenge, with consecutive late goals - including the clincher to Ebert from a mark and set shot near the boundary. 

Former Bomber forward Angus Monfries made an impact in his first outing for the Power by booting three goals although both teams were far from full strength. Coach McCartney was pleased with new arrival Koby Stevens in his first outing in the red, white and blue hoops. 

"He's going to help our younger midfielders, he has got a strong body as well and looks like he will be a good acquisition," McCartney said of the former West Coast Eagle. 

AFL European Challenge 

Saturday 3 November, 2012 - The Oval, London 

PORT ADELAIDE 1.4 (10) 3.4 (22) 9.4 (58) 14.4 (88) 

WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.3 (27) 7.5 (47) 9.8 (62) 13.9 (87) 

GOALS: Port Adelaide: Monfries 3, Hitchcock 2, Ebert, Hartlett, Hombsch, Lobbe, Moore, Newton, Pittard, Redden, Trengove.

Western Bulldogs: Higgins 3, Picken 2, Veszpremi 2, Cordy, Jones, Dahlhaus, Stevens, Liberatore, Greenwood. 

BEST: Western Bulldogs: Higgins, Picken, Veszpremi.