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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.<\/p>\n
Initial commentary from the ground had Ollie Wines as the player penalised – but the AFL has clarified it was instead Butters reported.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But ill-discipline from Jason Horne-Francis and then poor skills from Aliir Aliir gifted the Saints two goals in the final term \u2013 and that was all they needed to hang on to victory.<\/p>\n
THE 3-2-1… (with Will Faulkner at Adelaide Oval)<\/p>\n
3. SAINTS\u2019 EARLY STATISTICAL DOMINANCE STANDS TALL TO PRODUCE SEASON-BEST<\/p>\n
Ross Lyon\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
At the opening break, the visitors were +11 in contested possessions and had eight more clearances \u2014 not to mention an extra dozen tackles on the Power.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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 \u2014 28,\u201d four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne told Fox Footy at quarter time.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir previous best this year was 20 \u2026 St Kilda have got the game on their terms.\u201d<\/p>\n
St Kilda\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been a big issue for St Kilda, but they have been able to dominate this aspect,\u201d Lynch said on the cusp of half time.<\/p>\n
Nick Dal Santo added at half time: \u201cThat has been the difference in this game so far. It\u2019s not only the ability to get hands on the football in these moments; it\u2019s the field territory off the back of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera celebrates a goal with teammate Brad Hill.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The North Adelaide product finished with 23 disposals and 15 marks on a night where he and Jack Silvagni combined for 21 intercept possessions. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
2. WINNER IN BEST FRIENDS\u2019 UNIQUE DUEL AS POWER THROW MAGNETS AROUND<\/p>\n
It was \u2018tag watch\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Burgoyne looked to hold the wood over \u2018Nas\u2019 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\u2019s lack of punish in his own game due to the role began to show.<\/p>\n
Marcus Windhager responds to Zak Butters\u2019 contact with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.Source: Getty ImagesMarcus Windhager wrestles with Zak Butters in a fiery Adelaide Oval contest.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t until the 23rd minute of the second stanza that Burgoyne registered his first disposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been going inside and on-ball the last couple of weeks, but not tagging. This is a new role for him,\u201d Shaun Burgoyne told Fox Footy at half time.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing onto your best mate adds another extra challenge to it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nick Dal Santo added: \u201cI would break that tag. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s because \u2018Nas\u2019 is getting off the chain, and I don\u2019t think Burgoyne\u2019s done a bad job at all. <\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think they need to get more ball-winners at the source, rather than this negating role \u2026 he can also go defensively, so I think that\u2019s a better match-up if Nas was to go forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Alongside Horne-Francis in the \u2018premiership quarter\u2019, Willem Drew was outstanding in the same stanza with 12 disposals \u2014 all of which were contested.<\/p>\n
Jason Horne-Francis was everywhere in the second half.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s getting it done inside for Port Adelaide, he\u2019s had 15 disposals and one goal \u2014 his first of the year \u2014 but he needs help in and around the ball,\u201d Burgoyne said of Butters at half time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s only one man, he can\u2019t get it all done himself \u2026 he\u2019s the architect.\u201d<\/p>\n
1. STAR REPORTED FOR RARE ACT TO DEAL HOSTS DOUBLE BLOW<\/p>\n
In both a bizarre and rare sight during the third term, Zak Butters was reported by an on-field umpire for umpire abuse. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Owens went back to take his set shot as normal, before the in-zone umpire \u2014 standing alongside Wines and Butters \u2014 called a 50-metre penalty in favour of the Saints.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s lead out to 31 points.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looked like it was Ollie Wines reacting to the umpire \u2026 he\u2019s reported him!,\u201d Alastair Lynch said live.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a tough couple of minutes for Port Adelaide with the report and 50-metre penalty.\u201d <\/p>\n
Zak Butters has been reported for abuse.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
Nick Dal Santo added: \u201cYou don\u2019t see or hear that very often at all \u2014 particularly at this level.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe locals aren\u2019t happy. That takes the free kick count to 16-8, so that\u2019s why the Port supporters feel like they\u2019re being harshly done by.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was later clarified that it was Butters – and not Wines – who was reported for abusive language.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can see (Butters) getting told by the umpire he is on report,\u201d Fox Footy\u2019s David Zita said post-match.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe did seem quite shocked by it \u2013 his teammates around him seemed quite shocked by it as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cA relatively unsavoury incident \u2013 not something you see too often.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zak Butters was the player reported for abuse.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley added: \u201cWhat a turn of events to start the term that is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Port Adelaide\u2019s frustrations were arguably heightened after several high contact free kicks were paid against them, some of which resulted directly in scores.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was called from the officiating umpire in the centre of the ground, and overlooked by the closest umpire \u2026 has he gone low there? He still got hit in the head, didn\u2019t he,\u201d Alastair Lynch said after a free kick to Liam Ryan was given with 12 and a half minutes to play before quarter time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a free kick, he\u2019s gone very high there. But, I think the umpire closest to this pack, decided he induced the free kick by going low.<\/p>\n
Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson added: \u201cHe did, but it\u2019s just that it was so high.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s path.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s cannoned into him, Boxshall,\u201d Fox Footy commentator Gerard Whateley said. <\/p>\n
Hudson added: \u201cThat\u2019s not the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cPort supporters remember what happened at the start of the game in the first quarter with Liam Ryan ducking his head!\u201d<\/p>\n