Jason Horne-Francis fought hard for the Power, slotting two goals against the Saints. Image: AFL Photos.

A 14-POINT loss to St Kilda has come at a huge cost to Port Adelaide, with injuries to star Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades and Lachie Jones further souring the blow.

Butters' ankle was caught beneath him while attempting to tackle the Saints' Max Hall during the third term, and didn't feature again in the 13.9 (87) to 10.13 (73) contest.

St Kilda led by 37 points before halftime, but saw the advantage slashed to just three points on multiple occasions in the third and fourth quarters.

But with Butters, Georgiades (concussion) and Jones (ribs) out of the game, the Power quite literally ran out of legs.

08:20

Highlights: St Kilda vs Port Adelaide

The Saints and Power clash in Round 18.

It keeps the Saints (8-9) firmly in the finals mix ahead of a huge clash with Geelong next week, while Port (6-11) is left counting the cost of a tough afternoon.

St Kilda stars Bradley Hill (39 disposals) and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (32) continued their strong form, with Hugo Garcia (32), Marcus Windhager (27) and ruckman Rowan Marshall (29) also influential.

Captain Callum Wilkie had a career-high 34 disposals and 13 intercept possessions as the anchor in defence, while Cooper Sharman kicked three goals - all in the Saints' dominant first term.

04:06

Josh Carr press conference - 11 July

Josh Carr speaks with the media after Round 18.

The hosts led by 18 points at quarter-time and doubled the advantage by the main break, before Jason Horne-Francis led Port's fightback.

Horne-Francis was moved forward in Georgaides' absence for the second half and kicked two of the Power's six goals in the third term.

Lukosius kept a ball in play to set up Joe Berry's opening goal of the last quarter, but the Saints hit back with majors through Mitch Owens and Mason Wood to settle the contest.

01:09

Butters suffers sickening ankle injury after awkward fall

A massive moment unfolds at Marvel Stadium as Zak Butters lands awkwardly on his ankle and is helped from the ground

Horne-Francis finished with 23 disposals, eight clearances and two goals, while Butters had 26 touches and five clearances despite sitting out the final quarter.

Power defender Aliir Aliir had a dozen intercepts and Corey Durdin kicked two goals.

ST KILDA                   4.2      9.7     11.7      13.9 (87)
PORT ADELAIDE       1.2      3.7      9.11     10.13 (73)

GOALS
St Kilda: Sharman 3, Higgins 2, Ryan 2, Caminiti, Marshall, Hill, Wood, Phillipou, Owens
Port Adelaide: Horne-Francis 2, Durdin 2, Berry, Aliir, Visentini, Burgoyne, Evans, Bamert

BEST
St Kilda: Hill, Wanganeen-Milera, Wilkie, Garcia, Marshall, Phillipou
Port Adelaide: Horne-Francis, Butters, Bergman, Byrne-Jones, Burgoyne

INJURIES
St Kilda: Caminiti (eye), Owens (TBC)
Port Adelaide: Georgiades (concussion), Jones (rib), Butters (ankle)

LATE CHANGES
St Kilda: None
Port Adelaide: Mitch Zadow (illness) replaced in selected side by Jacob Wehr

Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium