Port Adelaide has moved into the top eight courtesy of a bruising 10-point win over St Kilda in a clash from which there will be plenty of fallout.
Ken Hinkley had three players who couldn’t run out the win with separate injury concerns and multiple others battling niggles, leaving the Power staring at several changes for next week’s Showdown.
Sam Powell-Pepper’s knee injury is the most serious concern for the Power, while captain Connor Rozee tried and failed to push through a hamstring concern.
Aliir Aliir also won't feature next week after being concussed by a Jack Higgins tackle.
The 11.16 (82) to 11.6 (72) saw a wasteful Port Adelaide outfit almost butcher inside 50 and contested footy dominance, and a 25-10 free kick count. But in a courageous effort, the Power also convincingly won the tackle count and willed their way over the line.
It condemns the Saints to three straight losses, two by less than two goals, but games against North Melbourne and Hawthorn to come in the next fortnight.
Here’s how we graded every player.
PORT ADELAIDE
Jase Burgoyne: A+
Putting his hand up as one of the game’s most improved. Probably his side’s best player and had numerous HUGE wins in the final term with the game on the line.
Willem Drew: A+
His side’s best midfielder in a typically gritty performance and was recognized with the medal.
Dan Houston: A
Another dominant performance off half-back.
Charlie Dixon: A-
To kick four of your side’s 11 goals is a huge performance. Ken Hinkley can’t ask for much more.
Ollie Wines: B+
Kicked the goal that won it for the Power. Played a strong, tough game outside of the times he was made to play in the ruck when Sweet was off. Wines is not a ruckman and was shown up accordingly.
Jordon Sweet: B+
Came up against a weakened Rowan Marshall but was still good enough to get the better of St Kilda’s star ruckman.
Kane Farrell: B+
Plenty of metres gained and was Port’s preferred outlet from the defensive 50.
Travis Boak: B
There’s still plenty of run in those old legs. Could have had a really big say if he kicked two goals instead of two behinds.
Darcy Byrne-Jones: B
A pretty perfect small forward game. Led up, crumbed, hit the scoreboard and tackled.
Zak Butters: B-
Won plenty of the footy but his ball use was down on Friday night.
Miles Bergman: B-
Had seven electric touches in the first term as Port Adelaide dominated but fell away from there.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher: B-
Didn’t just lock down his man, Zerk-Thatcher had a big say on the intercept side of the game and then going the other way.
Lachie Jones: B-
An underrated effort, Jones led the intercepts for his side.
Willie Rioli: B-
Kicked his 100th goal in the third term, but it was his 99th earlier that brought the crowd to life. Flashes of what he can do.
Jason Horne-Francis: B-
Played his best footy when Rozee was off the ground.
Dylan Williams: C+
Esava Ratugolea: C+
Came to life in the third term when Aliir went down. Last year Port Adelaide would have crumbled without him, this time around they had the former Cat.
Todd Marshall: C-
Mitch Georgiades: C-
1.4, and two behinds were absolute sodas. Emblematic of Port Adelaide being unable to put the Saints away.
Connor Rozee: N/A
A hamstring complaint in the third term looked set to end his night, and then did, despite a brief intermission.
Sam Powell-Pepper: N/A
Fingers crossed it’s not the worst case scenario after the tough forward went down with a knee injury in the third term. Had played an important role prior to that.
Aliir Aliir: N/A
Subbed off with concussion in the second term and will unfortunately miss next Thursday’s Showdown.
Jackson Mead: N/A
Had a genuine impact as the sub.
ST KILDA
Callum Wilkie: A-
A slow start but built into the game. Strong in the air and had his typical intercept game going.
Jack Sinclair: B+
Had his ball-winning ability back on Friday night but the touch is still lacking a bit.
Darcy Wilson: B+
The first-year player’s best game for the Saints. Ran hard, was more composed than his teammates and had a genuine crack.
Mitch Owens: B+
Was in the top three on the ground at half-time but couldn’t have an impact beyond that.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera: B+
Built into the clash nicely but only one score involvement feels too low for a player of his class.
Marcus Windhager: B
Jack Higgins: B
Is almost certain to miss next week and likely more for his concussion-inducing tackle on Aliir Aliir in the second term. Played his role with plenty of pressure and a goal.
Josh Battle: B-
A trademark effort in defence under a barrage of inside 50s.
Ryan Byrnes: C+
Had plenty of it, but the eye didn’t lie about his disposal efficiency. Byrnes went at below 45 per cent.
Rowan Marshall: C+
Carrying a leg injury that was evident early in the opening term. Played sore but beaten by Jordon Sweet.
Mattaes Phillipou: C+
Kicked a big goal in front of his home crowd when the Saints were on a roll but didn’t have a say on the contest.
Zaine Cordy: C+
Tim Membrey: C+
Riley Bonner: C+
Brad Hill: C
Couldn’t find his usual uncontested footy and as such lacked his run and carry. Did some nice things with ball in hand, however, and kicked a big goal against the tide in the first half.
Anthony Caminiti: C
Threatened to have a big say and had more impact than six touches would suggest. But Friday’s effort still goes down as an ‘almost’ one.
Hugo Garcia: C
Seb Ross: C-
Never got into the game despite enough midfield minutes to influence the contest.
Liam Stocker: C-
Looked to start on the ball but Ross Lyon swung the magnets after half-time to throw the former Blue back behind the footy.
Jack Steele: C-
Knee strapped and played like a sore man.
Dougal Howard: D+
Played like a man who hadn’t featured at the top level this season.
Cooper Sharman: D+
Kicked a goal but was barely sighted outside of that. Subbed off at the final break.
Angus Hastie: N/A
Had a few nice moments in the final term after coming on as the sub.
