St Kilda has held their nerve to close out Gather Round with a gritty 14 point win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, resisting a late surge to hand Ross Lyon a much-needed result and avoid a 1–4 start to the season.
The Saints appeared in control for much of the night before Port threatened to flip the script in a frantic third term. The Power slammed on four of the last five goals of the quarter to slash the margin to single digits at the final change, igniting a pro-Port crowd and setting up a tense finish.
Zak Butters (30 disposals and a goal) was at the centre of the charge, willing his side forward with typical dare and class, but the Saints refused to buckle under the weight of momentum.
Instead, it was Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera who proved the difference. The classy defender-turned-playmaker delivered a performance that underlined his growing stature in the competition, finishing with 27 disposals and two goals.
In a subplot that loomed large across the night, Wanganeen-Milera — who could have been wearing Port colours had he chosen to leave last year — made the Power pay, justifying every cent of his lucrative long-term deal.
St Kilda steadied in the final term, regaining control through composure behind the ball and clean use going forward. When Port surged, the Saints answered.
Jack Silvagni kicked his first goal in 13 months and his first as a Saint to put the away team out of reach, with teammates flocking from all parts of the ground to embrace him.
Port had their chances late but couldn’t land the knockout blow, with entries inside 50 repeatedly repelled by a disciplined St Kilda defence that refused to give an inch.
For Lyon, it was a win built on resilience as much as polish — and one that keeps his side’s season alive after a shaky opening month
