ST KILDA must have surely felt it was slowly drowning last night as it was pushed down the ladder by Port Adelaide with a dismal 53-point loss in possibly the heaviest downpour over AAMI Stadium since it was built 32 years ago.

After constant rain during the day, it was estimated 20 millimetres of rain fell during the game, but the only forecast the Saints were focusing on was its tough road ahead with another slide down the ladder at 2-3.

Most of the Power's goals came from sheer desperation; sliding into the contests and plucking goals off a water-logged surface. It was like old-fashioned footy without the mud … one heavy shower — throughout the match — players swarming the contest, few scores and non-relenting battles to get a kick.

It wasn't pretty, but Port sure looked a better sight with its fearless attack on the ball. This victory was as much about a reward for the players' persistence as it was for their equally brave and spirited 24,438 fans.

The Power's win wasn't necessarily about class, although its skills given the conditions were admirable, but sheer desperation — the knock-outs and taps along the ground that created its own luck.

The valour came at a price with Port's Michael Wilson forced off minutes before quarter-time with a right shoulder injury. He had operations on both shoulders several years ago, and scans over the next few days will determine the extent of the damage.

For most part, St. Kilda was gallant, and it too seemed to pay a heavy price when Nick Riewoldt was accidentally kicked hard in the face by Port's Peter Burgoyne shortly before half-time. It happened when Burgoyne was tackled and swung to the ground. Riewoldt fell to the ground clutching his face, looking concussed and certainly distressed as he was attended by three trainers close to the members' stand boundary.

Len Hayes also copped bruises. He went down into the rooms early in the second quarter after a heavy knock, and returned with his left shoulder heavily strapped. In the third, he copped one of the hardest hip-and-shoulder bumps into the midriff imaginable, but again he stood up to the task.

Significantly, Port put the game beyond St Kilda's reach with a dominating third term — 6.6 to a miserable behind — with three goals coming from kicks off the ground following mistakes by the Saints under pressure. Even Riewoldt was made to look ordinary as he made an elementary error of judgement in the rain.

Port moved into its 50-metre zone with more precision — accepting the fact few kicks were perfect — and in a more threatening manner. St Kilda's attacks were fragmented, and with Riewoldt having little impact, and Fraser Gehrig barely touching the ball, the Saints struggled.

Port had numerous match heroes, especially Chad Cornes, who worked incredibly hard on the ball. His marking, tackling and kicks under pressure were terrific. His brother, Kane, was very good too, as were the Burgoyne brothers, Shaun and Peter.

This was Warren Tredrea's third game back from a long-term injury, and one would expect that given his heavy frame, he would struggle more than most in these conditions. Not so. His work rate was exceptional, plus he kicked three goals and set up others.

Darryl Wakelin, playing his 250th game, produced a serviceable effort, while youngsters Jacob Surjan, Steven Salopek, Brad Symes and Michael Pettigrew were impressive.

St Kilda had its honest battlers too, and high among them, especially in the first half, were Robert Harvey, Brendon Goddard and Nick Del Santo.

Port has now won nine out of its past 10 matches against St Kilda. This wasn't the prettiest, but none have been more deserving for sheer determination. After a tight first half, it became a proverbial swim through.

PORT ADELAIDE 4.1 5.6 11.12 14.12 (96)
ST KILDA 1.2 3.3 3.4 6.7 (43)
GOALS: Port Adelaide: Tredrea 3, S Burgoyne 2, Ebert 2, Rodan 2, White, Symes, Chaplin, P Burgoyne, Salopek. St Kilda: Voss 3, Milne 2, Goddard.
BEST: Port Adelaide: C Cornes, K Cornes, S Burgoyne, Surjan, Salopek, Symes. St Kilda: Harvey, Dal Santo, Goddard, M Clarke, Ball, Hayes.
INJURIES: Port Adelaide: Wilson (torn chest muscle), Brogan (ankle) replaced in selected side by Chaplin. St Kilda: Riewoldt (face), Hayes (suspected broken collar bone), Brooks replaced in selected side by McQualter.
UMPIRES: McBurney, Stevic, Grun.
CROWD: 24,438 at AAMI Stadium.