St Kilda has survived a fiery Port Adelaide fightback to claim a 14-point win to close out Gather Round in 2026.
But the Saints 12.9 (81) to 9.13 (67) victory has been marred by ugly allegations of umpire abuse from Port star Zak Butters.
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Responding to a dubious St Kilda free kick, Butters was penalised for abuse as Mitch Owens was walked to the goal line.
Initial commentary from the ground had Ollie Wines as the player penalised – but the AFL has clarified it was instead Butters reported.
That moment seemed to spark the Power as they then kicked four of the next five goals to bring the margin to just nine at the final change.
But ill-discipline from Jason Horne-Francis and then poor skills from Aliir Aliir gifted the Saints two goals in the final term – and that was all they needed to hang on to victory.
THE 3-2-1… (with Will Faulkner at Adelaide Oval)
3. SAINTS’ EARLY STATISTICAL DOMINANCE STANDS TALL TO PRODUCE SEASON-BEST
Ross Lyon’s side got out to a 27-point lead before Port Adelaide could even hit the scoreboard on Sunday night, and when you added their around-the-ground numbers as context, it made plenty of sense.
The Saints have been middle-of-the-road so far this season at contest and clearance, but it was the nucleus of their first half dominance that in many ways gave them the four points.
At the opening break, the visitors were +11 in contested possessions and had eight more clearances — not to mention an extra dozen tackles on the Power.
“It was all about pressure and inside 50s to get this game on their terms. It was their number one quarter for the year with a pressure rating of 214, led by their tackles — 28,” four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne told Fox Footy at quarter time.
“Their previous best this year was 20 … St Kilda have got the game on their terms.”
St Kilda’s statistical dominance was amplified at the main break, going in with a whopping 41 points scored from stoppage. For context, their match average so far this season has been 30.
“This has been a big issue for St Kilda, but they have been able to dominate this aspect,” Lynch said on the cusp of half time.
Nick Dal Santo added at half time: “That has been the difference in this game so far. It’s not only the ability to get hands on the football in these moments; it’s the field territory off the back of it.”
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera celebrates a goal with teammate Brad Hill.Source: Getty Images
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera did Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera things all night once he got going after quarter time, but as he has done so consistently for many years now, co-captain Callum Wilkie stood tall in defence when Mitch Georgiades threatened to let loose most of the night.
The North Adelaide product finished with 23 disposals and 15 marks on a night where he and Jack Silvagni combined for 21 intercept possessions.
South Australian Mattaes Phillipou also had a notable impact on the end result despite his wayward kicking for goal that saw him finish with 2.3 from his 15 disposals.
2. WINNER IN BEST FRIENDS’ UNIQUE DUEL AS POWER THROW MAGNETS AROUND
It was ‘tag watch’ everywhere on Sunday night to close out Gather Round, with both Port Adelaide and St Kilda deploying a number of one-on-one match-ups in hopes of one-upping each other.
The most high-profile of the duels was between best mates Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jase Burgoyne in the midfield, despite the latter only attending five centre bounces across the first month of 2026.
Burgoyne looked to hold the wood over ‘Nas’ in the first term in holding him to three disposals, three tackles, two clearances and a goal assist for the term. However, as the Saints superstar warmed into the game after quarter time, the Power player’s lack of punish in his own game due to the role began to show.
Marcus Windhager responds to Zak Butters’ contact with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.Source: Getty ImagesMarcus Windhager wrestles with Zak Butters in a fiery Adelaide Oval contest.Source: Getty Images
It wasn’t until the 23rd minute of the second stanza that Burgoyne registered his first disposal.
“He’s been going inside and on-ball the last couple of weeks, but not tagging. This is a new role for him,” Shaun Burgoyne told Fox Footy at half time.
“Going onto your best mate adds another extra challenge to it as well.”
Nick Dal Santo added: “I would break that tag. I don’t think it’s because ‘Nas’ is getting off the chain, and I don’t think Burgoyne’s done a bad job at all.
“I just think they can get for bang for buck out of their midfield; they need to generate offence. I think Willem Drew can do it controlled and possibly exploit Nas. You will take the risk he dominates the game, but that would happen regardless of who it is.
“I think they need to get more ball-winners at the source, rather than this negating role … he can also go defensively, so I think that’s a better match-up if Nas was to go forward.”
Elsewhere, Jason Horne-Francis was able to negate attention from Hugh Boxshall relatively well all night; particularly in the third term where he racked up 10 disposals, seven contested possessions, a whopping six clearances and 1.2 on the scoreboard.
Alongside Horne-Francis in the ‘premiership quarter’, Willem Drew was outstanding in the same stanza with 12 disposals — all of which were contested.
Jason Horne-Francis was everywhere in the second half.Source: Getty Images
Saints recruit Sam Flanders quietened down after a busy start in his head-to-head role with Zak Butters, while utility Miles Bergman was used in defence, through the midfield and as deep as full forward.
“He’s getting it done inside for Port Adelaide, he’s had 15 disposals and one goal — his first of the year — but he needs help in and around the ball,” Burgoyne said of Butters at half time.
“He’s only one man, he can’t get it all done himself … he’s the architect.”
1. STAR REPORTED FOR RARE ACT TO DEAL HOSTS DOUBLE BLOW
In both a bizarre and rare sight during the third term, Zak Butters was reported by an on-field umpire for umpire abuse.
St Kilda forward Mitchito Owens was paid a free kick inside forward 50 fives minutes after half time, with his contest against Jordan Sweet a point of contention in the eyes of 2021 Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines and teammate Butters.
Owens went back to take his set shot as normal, before the in-zone umpire — standing alongside Wines and Butters — called a 50-metre penalty in favour of the Saints.
The Power duo looked stunned when the umpire blew his whistle, which allowed Owens to convert an easy kick from the goal square and push St Kilda’s lead out to 31 points.
“It looked like it was Ollie Wines reacting to the umpire … he’s reported him!,” Alastair Lynch said live.
“It’s been a tough couple of minutes for Port Adelaide with the report and 50-metre penalty.”
Zak Butters has been reported for abuse.Source: FOX SPORTS
Nick Dal Santo added: “You don’t see or hear that very often at all — particularly at this level.”
“The locals aren’t happy. That takes the free kick count to 16-8, so that’s why the Port supporters feel like they’re being harshly done by.”
It was later clarified that it was Butters – and not Wines – who was reported for abusive language.
“You can see (Butters) getting told by the umpire he is on report,” Fox Footy’s David Zita said post-match.
“He did seem quite shocked by it – his teammates around him seemed quite shocked by it as well.
“This normally ends up in the fixed financial offences category so Michael Christian – the MRO, you suspect would be speaking with the umpire or get a report lodged from the umpire as to what was said, and then make some determination from there.
“But a fixed financial sanction would be $1500 down to $1000 with an early plea. Of course, Zak Butters recently became the first player to the $50,000 mark when it comes to fines.
“A relatively unsavoury incident – not something you see too often.”
Zak Butters was the player reported for abuse.Source: FOX SPORTS
Heightening tempers was the fact that Owens goal came after Jason Horne-Francis had his goal overturned by the ARC just minutes earlier, as replays showed his kick grazed the post.
Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley added: “What a turn of events to start the term that is.”
Port Adelaide’s frustrations were arguably heightened after several high contact free kicks were paid against them, some of which resulted directly in scores.
“That was called from the officiating umpire in the centre of the ground, and overlooked by the closest umpire … has he gone low there? He still got hit in the head, didn’t he,” Alastair Lynch said after a free kick to Liam Ryan was given with 12 and a half minutes to play before quarter time.
“That’s a free kick, he’s gone very high there. But, I think the umpire closest to this pack, decided he induced the free kick by going low.
Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson added: “He did, but it’s just that it was so high.”
Only four minutes later, Hugh Boxshall more or less charged head-first into the body of an oncoming Joe Berry, who was unable to remove himself from the St Kilda midfielder’s path.
“He’s cannoned into him, Boxshall,” Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley said.
Hudson added: “That’s not the right decision.”
A free kick at the very next centre bounce to Hugo Garcia evidently frustrated Jason Horne-Francis, before Ryan was awarded another shot on goal before quarter time.
In an ironic twist at a crucial point at the start of the last quarter, Horne-Francis was pinged for holding the ball after initiating high contact with Brad Hill inside forward 50.
“Port supporters remember what happened at the start of the game in the first quarter with Liam Ryan ducking his head!”
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