Powell-Pepper, Finlayson, Rioli and Horne-Francis lead Port to win over ladder-leading Saints

Jarred Cross Published April 29, 2023 at 9.40am (AWST)

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Junior Rioli streams forward against the Saints on Friday night. (Image: James Ross (AAP))

Port Adelaide have pulled off a frantic Friday night upset against the ladder-leading Saints at Marvel Stadium with a group of Indigenous stars playing key roles.

The Power came in after a shaky but impressive start to 2023 and sat on the wrong side of a reasonably comfortable margin in the second quarter against a St Kilda outfit playing well above expectations through the first quarter of the season.

Jason Horne-Francis, who's been the subject of boos from the stands in recent weeks, put together a close to, if not best performance of his young career amassing 10 clearances by half time and adding plenty to Port's forward movement around the stoppages.

"I don't want our best young talent to get scared of playing the game because of what happens outside the fence," Power coach Ken Hinkley said before the match.

Those watching along witnessed a 19-year-old anything but flustered as he finished with 11 clearances and 25 disposals in the rousing upset.

After St Kilda snatched back the lead mid-way through the third term, Junior Rioli hit-back with two majors in succession to give his side some real confidence heading into the final break.

Which way...

Rioli SOLD it 🤩#YokayiFooty | #AFLSaintsPower pic.twitter.com/28QHdCjvZd

— AFL (@AFL) April 28, 2023

Jeremy Finlayson and Sam Powell-Pepper stood up in an anxious last 30 minutes, both adding their second goals for the night, the latter's at a crucial moment.

Following a desperate smother deep in Port's front 50 from Charlie Dixon, Powell-Pepper jumped on a loose ball before breaking a tackle on the edge of the goal.

Minutes earlier, Jade Gresham had stolen the lead back for the home side, however it wasn't to be.