The Power broke open the game in the third term when they scored 6.6 to a solitary point after leading by just 15 points at half-time.
Port Adelaide won 14.12 (96) to St Kilda’s 6.7 (43) after leading by 56 points at three-quarter time.
Chad Cornes was outstanding for the Power all night, and won the Anzac medal, while captain Warren Tredrea, with three goals, was a major contributor in conditions that didn’t suit tall forwards, playing his best game since his return from a knee injury.
Brett Voss sparked a brief St Kilda revival early in the second quarter when he kicked two crucial majors, but for the rest of the night the Power was in total control, dominating the clearances and inside-50s and playing impressively clean football in the circumstances.
When Brendan Goddard goaled at the five-minute mark of the last term, it was the Saints’ first for more than two quarters.
Nick Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig made no impact up forward for the Saints, with Justin Koschitzke stationed in defence on Tredrea.
Rain started falling shortly after the game began, and became heavier as the match progressed, making the Power’s 18-point quarter-time lead a significant one.
Port Adelaide lost key midfielder Michael Wilson in the first quarter with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. He went immediately into the rooms and played no further part in the contest.
Both teams made late changes for the match. Port lost Dean Brogan and replaced him with Troy Chaplin, who played an excellent game in defence, while St Kilda brought in Andrew McQualter for Barry Brooks.
PORT ADELAIDE 4.2 5.6 11.12 14.12 (96)
ST KILDA 1.2 3.3 3.4 6.7 (43)
Goals: Port Adelaide: W Tredrea 3 S Burgoyne 2 B Ebert 2 D Rodan 2 T Chaplin S Salopek P Burgoyne B Symes D White. St Kilda: B Voss 3 S Milne 2 B Goddard.
Best: Port Adelaide:C Cornes S Burgoyne W Tredrea K Cornes S Salopek P Burgoyne D Wakelin T Chaplin. St Kilda: R Harvey B Voss B Goddard N Dal Santo.
Injuries: Port Adelaide: D Brogan (ankle) replaced in selected side by T Chaplin, M Wilson (torn pectoral muscle). St Kilda: B Brooks replaced in selected side by A McQualter, L Hayes (suspected broken collar bone), A Thompson (knee cartilage).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: S McBurney M Stevic S Grun.
Official crowd: 24,438 at AAMI Stadium
