The first clash between Ken Hinkley and his former right-hand man Alan Richardson was a tough contest the Alberton faithful had longed to see.
And it delivered promising performances from emerging players to give the crowd of almost 7,000 Port Adelaide supporters several positive to take home on Saturday afternoon.
The likes of newly re-signed Ollie Wines (16 contested possessions), Jarman Impey (19 disposals) and Jared Polec (22 disposals) all flew the flag for the Power's youth brigade in an at times brutal contest.
Seasoned campaigners Dom Cassisi, Brad Ebert and Kane Cornes also performed strongly.
But in testing 30-degree conditions and with a light breeze to the east of the ground, it was St Kilda that started with a wet sail.
Comprehensively beaten in the opening quarter, Port Adelaide was unable to stop a rampant St Kilda as the Saints slotted the opening goal and seized the early control of the game.
Demolished in the clearances, the Power looked sluggish and unable to match the Saints in every facet - often second to contests and unable to prevent the strong forward penetration of the visitors' clearing kicks.
It was David Armitage who played chief destroyer for St Kilda early, with three comfortable goals helping to stamp his team's authority on the game.
Trailing by 20 points at quarter time and losing at stoppages on 16 occasions, Port Adelaide needed to offer something.
The response was emphatic, and while the Power was able to boost its contested ball movement, it was its improved usage that helped recover the seemingly diabolical situation in the second quarter.
Hinkley's charges produced highlights reel football to claw its way back into the contest.
Power v Saints stats
Skipper Travis Boak mounted the comeback with an early major, before the class of his team's tall forwards came to the fore.
John Butcher was impressive again with three goals to his name - the first in the second term from a clever checkside - while Justin Westhoff kicked his first of two with a replica of his inside-out masterpiece from last year’s semi final.
It put the Power into gear, and aided by some brilliance of Matthew Broadbent working outside the pack, Port pegged the margin to 10 points at half time.
But the Power, despite its improved ball use, still battled to win its prized contested possessions.
The battle of attrition turned in the second half with the Power banging on a 5-goal-to-3 term to edge into the lead for the first time.
Hinkley takes positives from slow start
In tandem, the midfield had started to take control of the match and with ample delivery forward was able to reward strong leads from the Power's key forwards.
Butcher slotted his remaining two goals, while Brad Ebert flew the flag for the centremen to top his goal tally at three.
With its strong fitness base allowing it to run the game out, the Power was able to hold the Saints at arm's length and clinch a positive 15-point victory.
Port Adelaide now turns its focus towards selection for its Round 1 clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium next Sunday night.
With competition for spots high, particularly with Tom Logan, Ben Newton and Sam Colquhoun all performing strongly in the SANFL trial game earlier in the day, Hinkley is likely to be spoiled for choice.
His task will be compounded by the expected returns of key 'spine' players like Jackson Trengove and Jay Schulz.
The Power will name their team on portadelaidefc.com.au at 5:55pm (ACDT) on Thursday evening.
Seasoned campaigners Dom Cassisi, Brad Ebert and Kane Cornes also performed strongly.
But in testing 30-degree conditions and with a light breeze to the east of the ground, it was St Kilda that started with a wet sail.
Comprehensively beaten in the opening quarter, Port Adelaide was unable to stop a rampant St Kilda as the Saints slotted the opening goal and seized the early control of the game.
Demolished in the clearances, the Power looked sluggish and unable to match the Saints in every facet - often second to contests and unable to prevent the strong forward penetration of the visitors' clearing kicks.
It was David Armitage who played chief destroyer for St Kilda early, with three comfortable goals helping to stamp his team's authority on the game.
Trailing by 20 points at quarter time and losing at stoppages on 16 occasions, Port Adelaide needed to offer something.
The response was emphatic, and while the Power was able to boost its contested ball movement, it was its improved usage that helped recover the seemingly diabolical situation in the second quarter.
Hinkley's charges produced highlights reel football to claw its way back into the contest.
Power v Saints stats
Skipper Travis Boak mounted the comeback with an early major, before the class of his team's tall forwards came to the fore.
John Butcher was impressive again with three goals to his name - the first in the second term from a clever checkside - while Justin Westhoff kicked his first of two with a replica of his inside-out masterpiece from last year’s semi final.
It put the Power into gear, and aided by some brilliance of Matthew Broadbent working outside the pack, Port pegged the margin to 10 points at half time.
But the Power, despite its improved ball use, still battled to win its prized contested possessions.
The battle of attrition turned in the second half with the Power banging on a 5-goal-to-3 term to edge into the lead for the first time.
Hinkley takes positives from slow start
In tandem, the midfield had started to take control of the match and with ample delivery forward was able to reward strong leads from the Power's key forwards.
Butcher slotted his remaining two goals, while Brad Ebert flew the flag for the centremen to top his goal tally at three.
With its strong fitness base allowing it to run the game out, the Power was able to hold the Saints at arm's length and clinch a positive 15-point victory.
Port Adelaide now turns its focus towards selection for its Round 1 clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium next Sunday night.
With competition for spots high, particularly with Tom Logan, Ben Newton and Sam Colquhoun all performing strongly in the SANFL trial game earlier in the day, Hinkley is likely to be spoiled for choice.
His task will be compounded by the expected returns of key 'spine' players like Jackson Trengove and Jay Schulz.
The Power will name their team on portadelaidefc.com.au at 5:55pm (ACDT) on Thursday evening.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 3.0 9.1 14.5 18.7 (115)
ST KILDA 7.2 10.5 13.6 16.10 (106)
Goals: Ebert, Butcher 3, Westhoff, Cassisi, Boak, Hartlett 2, White, Young, Broadbent, Wingard
PORT ADELAIDE 3.0 9.1 14.5 18.7 (115)
ST KILDA 7.2 10.5 13.6 16.10 (106)
Goals: Ebert, Butcher 3, Westhoff, Cassisi, Boak, Hartlett 2, White, Young, Broadbent, Wingard
portadelaidefc.com.au's best: Wines, Ebert, Impey, Cassisi, Polec
Injuries: Moore, Young (shoulder), Stewart (calf), White (knocked knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fleer, Pannell, Ryan
Crowd: Approximately 6,500
