With Charlie Dixon back, Port Adelaide made a huge statement with its upset win against Geelong. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Mathematically. It’s a term that reeks of desperation and starts being trotted out by key footy figures around this time of year. That is, the time a club slides out of realistic finals contention.

Jordan Lewis used it last week. Melbourne, for all intents and purposes, looked gone for 2019 even before its mid-season bye. But when even the tiniest flicker of hope remains, there’s something to which supporters can cling.

And that’s what the Demons provided for their success-starved fan base with a stirring win over injury-hit Fremantle.

Round 14 losers Hawthorn, St Kilda, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs sit firmly in the same boat. Their seasons are effectively on life support. The bye rounds are over and it’s time to get serious.

Port Adelaide did just that, making a huge statement of intent with an upset win over ladder leader Geelong that thrust (former Cats star) Ken Hinkley’s side back into the top eight.

The Power had their past two club champions – Paddy Ryder and Justin Westhoff – sitting in the stands.

Perhaps it was a sign of the changing of the guard as Hinkley ushers through a new wave of youngsters (with some impressive results so far). Ryder, in particular, could be on the outer after losing the No.1 ruck spot to free agency pick-up Scott Lycett this season.

But it was the old guard that stood out for Port Adelaide and will likely continue to be the main driver behind its success as it chases a finals berth.

Robbie Gray and Travis Boak starred as Tom Clurey kept Tom Hawkins quiet. Charlie Dixon had a dream return, kicking one goal and crashing packs in a manner that brought his teammates into the game. Karl Amon and former Cats livewire Steven Motlop were also important on the outside.

Geelong’s defeat was its eighth in succession coming off a bye in a bizarre sequence of results for a side that has been nestled in the top half of the ladder for as long as most opposition fans care to remember. The Cats’ 0-8 ledger is the worst post-bye record in the competition.

Even more bizarrely, though, the Cats are on a 7-0 run in their second match after a bye. That’s the best record in the competition. Go figure.

One of Geelong’s biggest rivals for the premiership, meanwhile, has forced its way back into the top four.

Despite West Coast not playing at its best during the first half of the season – and getting thumped on four occasions in ugly defeats – it sits in a very healthy position. The Eagles have all the tools available to get back to last year’s level in time for a serious flag tilt in September, and are building ominously.

Star ruckman Nic Naitanui could be recalled next week after a successful return in the WAFL from a second knee reconstruction, and key defender Tom Barrass could join him.

West Coast’s win over Essendon should have been much bigger. In kicking 14.22 (106), the Eagles squandered a chance to build their percentage back to respectable level (in top-four terms).

The Bombers went a full quarter at Optus Stadium with only four forward-50 entries. Coach John Worsfold called it a “domination”. He wasn’t wrong.

Melbourne’s much-needed gain on Saturday after a disappointing season to date came on the back of Fremantle’s pain, and the port club faces a real fight to overcome a growing injury list in its pursuit of a finals spot.

Jesse Hogan returned to the MCG to take on his old side for the first time but hobbled off midway through the match. There are genuine fears for the hulking forward, whose foot injury will be assessed in the coming days.

Hogan’s 2018 campaign ended prematurely when he suffered a navicular injury in the same foot, but Dockers officials are confident the latest setback isn’t the same issue.

Classy midfielder Stephen Hill hurt a hamstring in his second game back from a long-term quadriceps injury, and superstar Michael Walters was reported for head-butting in an incident that capped a dirty day at the G.

It was more bad news on the other side of the country, where luckless former star Harley Bennell sustained yet another lower leg injury in the WAFL.

Finals aspirant Brisbane destroyed St Kilda as Charlie Cameron lit up Marvel Stadium with his first five-goal haul since September 2017 (when he was still an Adelaide player).

Lincoln McCarthy and Allen Christensen chipped in as the Lions’ small forwards wreaked havoc. Big men Stefan Martin and Oscar McInerney were important, as were Dayne Zorko, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage, Mitch Robinson and Jarryd Lyons.

The list of contributors went on and on, and the energy in Brisbane’s performance was cause for genuine excitement, regardless of the apparent lack of intensity in its opponent.

St Kilda was blown away from midway through the second quarter, when the Lions piled on 13 of the next 14 goals.

One of few positives for the Saints and coach Alan Richardson was the performance of high-profile recruit Dan Hannebery, who had 27 disposals and five tackles on his long-awaited club debut.

Hannebery’s former Sydney teammate Buddy Franklin didn’t fare so well.

The superstar forward’s 300th game is now on ice, just like his hamstring was during the Swans’ win over Hawthorn back on Friday night.