PORT Adelaide has overcome a lightning delay to keep its finals flame flickering for at least another few hours, after edging past St Kilda by six points in a tense finish. 

The second half was halted for almost an hour as a heavy storm passed through Moorabbin, but the Power proved too good for the Saints at RSEA Park, holding strong in the dying stages to record a 7.9 (51) to 7.3 (45) win.

SAINTS V POWER Full match details and stats

The loss to the Power continued a disappointing season for the Saints, who underdelivered on expectations this year after reaching a maiden finals campaign in 2025, but have shown plenty of fight and grit in their past three matches under interim coach Matt Brewer.

Gun ruck Matilda Scholz was the star of the show for the Power, dominating against St Kilda’s vulnerable rucks to give the Power first use around the contest. 

Scholz looked dangerous whenever she had the ball, using her incredible athleticism to hurt the Saints both at stoppage and in transition around the ground.

She was also able to go forward and create an option ahead of the ball, taking a strong mark and converting a nice set shot just before the final change. 

Dashing defender Ella Heads provided plenty of rebound and drive out of the back half with 18 disposals, while veteran on-baller Maria Moloney (12 disposals) and exciting youngster Piper Window were also strong contributors. 

For the Saints, captain Serene Watson (22 disposals) was the defensive general down back, regularly repelling Port Adelaide’s advances while creating some offense herself.

Forward Nicola Xenos, who returned this year from a lengthy layoff with a knee injury, snagged three goals as the most dangerous forward on the ground.

Despite being beaten at clearance (-9), St Kilda’s midfield unit of Ash Richards, Jaimee Lambert and Tyanna Smith worked hard all day. 

Port Adelaide’s win was soured by a shoulder injury to young forward Lauren Young, who landed awkwardly in the second term before being helped off the field by medical staff, while the Saints also lost J’Noemi Anderson to another hamstring injury.

Up next
St Kilda’s focus will turn to the trade and draft landscape after a one-win season, while the Power will need several results to go their way if they’re to sneak into the top eight and feature in another finals campaign.

ST KILDA                1.1    3.1    5.2    7.3 (45)
PORT ADELAIDE     2.2    3.4    5.5    7.9 (51)

GOALS
St Kilda: Xenos 3, Butterworth, Richards, Hobson, Tawhiao-Wardlaw
Port Adelaide: Woodland, Goody, Window, Houghton, Scholz, Hampson, Dowrick

BEST
St Kilda: Watson, Richards, Lambert, Xenos, Smith
Port Adelaide: Scholz, Heads, Dowrick, Moloney, Window

INJURIES
St Kilda: Anderson (hamstring), Richards (headknock)
Port Adelaide: Young (shoulder)

Crowd: TBC at RSEA PARK