Port edges Saints in storm-hit thriller to stay in finals hunt
Port Adelaide beat St Kilda 51-45 in a match halted by lightning, keeping their top-eight hopes marginally alive.
Port Adelaide edged St Kilda by six points in a tense clash at Moorabbin, with the second half stopped for almost an hour when a heavy storm rolled through. The Power held firm in the dying stages to secure a 7.9 (51) to 7.3 (45) win.
Matilda Scholz dominated the ruck for Port with 13 disposals, 37 hitouts and a goal. Abbey Dowrick added seven clearances and an important late goal.
For the Saints, captain Serene Watson laid down 22 disposals on defence, while Nicola Xenos kicked three goals. Port's finals hopes hinge on West Coast beating Hawthorn on Saturday, Melbourne beating Adelaide on Sunday, and Sydney beating Fremantle.
The loss leaves St Kilda with just one win for the season, putting them at risk of the wooden spoon.
- 51-45
- Final score
- almost an hour
- Match delay
- 1
- St Kilda season wins
- 37
- Scholz hitouts
Why it mattersPort's season survives but depends entirely on multiple other teams losing this weekend to sneak into finals.
AustraliaAFLW fans will watch Saturday and Sunday results closely to see if Port's slim top-eight hopes hold up, or if the season ends for both Port and St Kilda.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
