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Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints AFL Round 5 Tips - Nervous Saints to prevail in Gather Round scrap

adam-cusworth
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Last updated: Fri 10 Apr 2026 08:59

In a decisive AFL Round 5 showdown, St Kilda Saints are poised to outperform Port Adelaide Power. Despite both teams standing at a 2-2 record, St Kilda's strong recent form and strategic play by key figures like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera could give them the upper hand. Wanganeen-Milera, known for dominating in possessions, will likely play a critical role in controlling the game. Meanwhile, Cooper Sharman's recent performance hints at a promising impact up front. St Kilda's tactical edge, highlighted by strong clearance and a disciplined possession game, is expected to seal a close win.

Adam Cusworth 10 Apr 2026
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  • The game will be played at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, 12th April, with the bounce at 7:15 PM (AEDT)
  • Both sides have a win-loss record of 2-2- who can advance to 3-2?
  • Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bet
Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints

Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints, Round 5 2026 - Expert Prediction

This is St Kilda’s game to lose, but there should be a few nervous moments in what shapes as one of the more important contests of Gather Round with both sides entering at 2-2.

The Saints can take confidence from their last visit to Adelaide Oval, where they knocked off Port by 17 points, and their recent form line has arguably been stronger despite their 33-point loss to the Brisbane Lions in Round 3. 

That defeat was uglier on the scoreboard than the game itself for long periods, with St Kilda well in the fight until the premiers kicked away late. The Saints have since had the bye and come fresh into the Gather Round clash. 

The key battleground is around clearance and territory. Port’s transition game and turnover scoring were excellent against Richmond, but St Kilda’s ability to control possession through Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair gives them the weapons to deny those repeat slingshot looks. Wanganeen-Milera in particular looks right back to his 2025 form and should find enough ball across half-back and wing to be a major influence.

Where the nervous moments come is Port’s ability to surge through short bursts. Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis can still create scoreboard swings, while Mitch Georgiades and Jack Whitlock give the Power enough marking power ahead of the ball to punish slow Saints exits.

Still, St Kilda’s recent body of work and their ability to win the uncontested game should see them prevail in a close one. Cooper Sharman looks the best forward prop after his three-goal outing against Brisbane, while Wanganeen-Milera for 25+ disposals is one of the strongest player angles of the round.

  • St Kilda defeated Port Adelaide by 17 points at the Adelaide Oval the last time the two sides met. 
  • Port have won just three of their past 10 matches, St Kilda have won six of their past nine
  • Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has had 25+ disposals in his past three matches against the Power
  • Cooper Sharman kicked three goals against Brisbane in St Kilda’s last match. 

Head to Head Stats


St Kilda were victorious the last time the two sides met, taking out the Round 4 clash last season at the Adelaide Oval by 17 points. That snapped a six game losing streak to the Power, who have won eight of the 10 Adelaide Oval contests between the two sides. 

Notable player performances in the recent head to heads have come from Jack Sinclair, who has had 25+ disposals in his past four against the Power, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has reached that mark in his past three. For Port, Zak Butters had 30 disposals the last time the two sides met, while Jason Horne-Francis has had 28 in each of his last two. 

Port Adelaide Power Form Analysis


Port Adelaide sit 2-2 and have gone loss-win-loss-win so far, going down to North Melbourne and West Coast, while they have scored wins against Essendon and Richmond. Last week they scored by 42 points against the Tigers in a margin that didnt quite reflect the closeness of the contest, going down in clearance, contested possession and inside 50s. 

Zak Butters lifted his side with 30 disposals, making it two matches in a row that he has hit the 30+  but lack support in the middle with the absence of Connor Rozee. Jason Horne-Francis had just 18 disposals against the Tigers but had scoreboard impact with two goals. 

Mitch Georgaides, Jack Lukosius and Jack Whitlock all kicked two goals against Richmond. Georgiades has kicked 10 goals in his four matches this season and Whitlock has seven, hitting the 2+ in three matches. 

St Kilda Saints Form Analysis


St Kilda led the Lions early in the last term of the Round 3 clash before the premiers stamped their authority with the last six goals of the match in the 33 point win. An inaccurate start that saw them 1.7 at quarter time, came back to haunt them in the 11.14 to 17.11 scoreline. They also head in with a 2-2 win-loss record. 

Cooper Sharman (3.0) and Liam Ryan (3.1) could be excused and were accurate in front of the big sticks, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Jack Sinclair both had 29 disposals and kept the Saints in the game until the last term blowout. Sinclair has had 30+ in four of his past five matches. 

St Kilda went down to Collingwood by 12 and Melbourne by 13 in their first two matches before holding off GWS by four points in Round 2. The last quarter in each of their past three matches has been a bit of a concern, kicking a total of five goals, while conceding three in that period.  

Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints Team List & News


Port Adelaide Power Team News


No injuries for Port Adelaide to come out of the Richmond match. Rozee is still a while away but Todd Marshall is edging closer to a return from an ankle injury. Tom Cochrane made his return to the SANFL last weekend and will be considered, while Jackson Mead responded to his demotion with 31 disposals. 

St Kilda Saints Team News


St Kilda have a number of players on the injury list, including Anthony Caminiti as well as other depth players, while their star forward, Max King, remains a long term proposition. 

Port AdelaidePOSSt Kilda
J. Burgoyne, L. Jones, M. BergmanBJ. Silvagni, C. Wilkie, A. Tauru
L. Evans, A. Aliir, K. FarrellHBJ. Sinclair, B. Hill, N. Wanganeen-Milera
E. Mackinlay, J. Horne-Francis, J. WehrCH. Boxshall, M. Hall, D. Wilson
J. Lukosius, M. Georgiades, J. BerryHFM. Wood, L. Ryan, M. Owens
D. Byrne-Jones, J. Whitlock, J. RichardsFJ. Higgins, C. Sharman, R. Marshall
J. Sweet, Z. Butters, W. DrewFOLLT. De Koning, S. Flanders, M. Windhager
C. Durdin, O. Wines, M. Zadow, T. Marshall, J. Lai, B. Zerk-Thatcher, D. Visentini, J. WatkinsI/CH. Clark, D. Butler, J. Carroll, D. Howard, A. Hastie, M. Phillipou, H. Garcia, L. O’Connell

Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints AFL 2026 Round 5 FAQ’s

How to watch Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints AFL 2026 Round 5?

You can watch the Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints AFL 2026 Round 5 game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.

How to buy tickets to Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints AFL 2026 Round 5?

To buy tickets to the Port Adelaide Power vs St Kilda Saints AFL 2026 Round 5 game check the AFL website or the official Port Adelaide Power site.

Verdict

St Kilda to prevail against Power with Wanganeen-Milera a potential matchwinner. Sharman can back up good form from last match
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