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Port Adelaide pipped Sydney by 10 points, with star Swan Lance Franklin reported in Saturday's Adelaide Oval fixture.

Port Adelaide have edged Sydney by 10 points to climb into the AFL's top four while star Swan Lance Franklin is on report.

The Power triumphed 12.9 (81) to 10.11 (71) on a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Saturday to pinch fourth spot from Geelong.

Sydney slip a rung to seventh with champion forward Franklin reported for rough contact on Port's Jarrod Lienert in the first term.

But the charge appeared trivial: Lienert, scooping up a ground ball, was bent over when his head made contact with the left hip of the standing Franklin.

Lienert was awarded a free kick - which is where the incident should rest, according to Swans coach John Longmire.

"I thought it was a free kick, that was my initial instinct," Longmire said.

"I didn't even know it was a report until someone mentioned it at the end."

Franklin booted four goals, taking his career tally to 973 - surpassing Jack Titus as the sixth-highest goalscorer in VFL/AFL history.

And the 34-year-old megastar revived the Swans with a stirring last quarter when they appeared down and out.

Port led by 15 points at three quarter-time, a seemingly safe margin in the wet.

But Franklin then booted three goals in a stunning 15-minute burst to put his side four points up with seven minutes remaining.

"I am not surprised that he was able to influence the game late, he has done that for however many years he has been playing this game," Port coach Ken Hinkley said of Franklin.

"He's one of the absolute greats of the game ... but at the end of the day, it's team versus team."

Port's medical substitute Sam Mayes, who only came on minutes earlier when Trent McKenzie suffered a collarbone injury, then became a home-town hero.

With four minutes left, Mayes dribbled a goal to restore Port's lead and, with two minutes left, ruckman Scott Lycett iced the win with a classy major from a tight angle.

Port's vice-captain Ollie Wines (29 disposals) was again a force along with ex-skipper Travis Boak (30 touches, one goal).

And forwards Charlie Dixon (19 possessions) and Todd Marshall both kicked two goals.

The Swans scored five of their 10 goals in the opening term and were superbly served throughout by Callum Mills, whose 30 disposals featured 10 clearances and nine inside 50s.

Mills' fellow midfielder Luke Parker gathered a game-high 34 touches and kicked a goal while Will Hayward and Tom Papley booted two majors each.