Melbourne midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver have exchanged heated words in the aftermath of their side’s season-defining loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.

The pair were both below their best as the Demons slumped to 5-9 and 15th on the AFL ladder, likely ending their hopes of playing finals.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca in heated conversation.

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Walking off the field after going down by 25 points, Petracca and Oliver were captured having a robust discussion until Ed Langdon came between them to break it up.

“That’s interesting,” Alister Nicholson said. “So, Oliver and Petracca in heated conversation.”

Nick Riewoldt said the pair needed to look in the mirror.

“So, let’s talk about the midfields then,” he said.

“(Connor) Rozee was forced to go in there with (Jason) Horne-Francis spending more time on the bench in the second half. He used the footy beautifully; 32 (disposals), 25 kicks at 76 per cent, and (Zak) Butters kicked it at 80 per cent.

“On the flip-side, Oliver, 27 per cent, and Petracca, 22 per cent.

“Just contrast in the midfield, the way they were able to use the footy.

“Again, it’s another game where Melbourne win the inside-50 count and lose the game.”

For the Power, spearhead forward Mitch Georgiades kicked a career-high seven goals to inspire his side.

Defender Esava Ratugolea took a career-best 13 marks as the Power improved to 6-7 and leapt from 15th to 10th on the ladder.

Melbourne remain in the mire after a third consecutive defeat, anchored in 14th spot and, after their bye, facing away games against finals-bound Gold Coast and Adelaide.

The Demons were plucky against Port but again paid for inaccuracy, recording more behinds than goals for the ninth time this season.

Power forward Georgiades also missed a series of attempts in kicking 7.4 — the most shots for a Port player this century — while dominating his esteemed opponent Steven May.

Port’s Darcy Byrne-Jones kicked two majors and his teammate Horne-Francis (29 disposals) was prolific before injuring a shoulder.

Power captain Rozee (32 touches) and his deputy Butters (27) were also busy before a 30,982-strong home crowd.

Melbourne’s multi-million dollar man Kysaiah Pickett, fresh from signing a contract to remain a Demon until 2034, slotted three goals and Bailey Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen kicked two each.

But skipper Max Gawn faces match review scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Georgiades in the first quarter.

The Demons, after two Pickett goals in 90 seconds, were one point down midway through the second quarter when the tide rapidly turned.

After Melbourne butchered an attacking entry, the Power swept downfield for a Willie Rioli goal.

While the Power were celebrating, Demon defender Judd McVee landed a gut punch on Georgiades which was spotted by the umpire.

Georgiades was awarded a free without the ball returning to the centre and kicked the second major in a stretch of four unanswered goals that created a 24-point halftime lead, 9.6 to 5.6.

Melbourne rallied in the third term with two goals to Fritsch and a Daniel Turner strike reducing their deficit to only five points.

The visitors arguably should have been in front, with another handful of shots at goal sprayed wide as they scored 3.5 for the quarter.

And the Demons paid a hefty price for their waste late on when Sam Powell-Pepper was awarded a dubious holding-the-ball free against Jack Viney on a wing.

Viney was penalised 50 metres for delaying returning the ball to Powell-Pepper, who goaled after the siren to give Port a 15-point buffer at three quarter-time.

Port added three more successive goals, including two more from Georgiades, to seal victory.

- With AAP