Port Adelaide found valuable momentum from a familiar source at AAMI Stadium, claiming a blue collar 21-point victory over a St Kilda side they have now beaten in 11 of 12 AFL meetings.

The Power claimed a 20-point quarter time lead and held the Saints at that distance for the rest of a cold and slippery night, ultimately winning 12.10 (82) to 9.7 (61).

Kane Cornes was outstanding with a consummate tagging job on Nick Dal Santo, and Steven Salopek also earned plenty of plaudits for a courageous and skilful display in the back half of the centre square.

Port captain Warren Tredrea (two goals) contributed nicely in what was arguably his best game of the season to date and Daniel Motlop (three goals) was also dangerous.

Lenny Hayes and Jason Gram worked hard for the Saints.

Port lost youngster Nathan Krakouer before the bounce to a quad complaint, but it was soon the crowd feeling sore in a first half of icy winds and precious little entertainment.

More than 18 minutes passed before Daniel Motlop chipped through the first goal of the game as the Saints took on a defensive posture reminiscent of Sydney at their most boring.

Dull as they were, the Saints failed in their attempt at parsimony, with Motlop's goal followed by two others before the break, the last resulting when an attempt to soak up time in the back half was neutralised by the Power's aggressive switch to man on man.

Up by three goals at the first, change, Port made it four within a minute of the re-start, Shaun Burgoyne streaming out of the middle for an instinctive one to with Tredrea.

The Power's greater ambition paid off through Brendon Lade after another Tredrea assist, and though Nick Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke belatedly fired through the Saints' first two goals, Port went to the break comfortably and deservedly clear.

To the surprise of many a game broke out in the third, St Kilda showing greater intent to push Port to much greater lengths to preserve their advantage.

Riewoldt became a gradually more influential figure, though his second goal of the term arrived via a fortunate free kick, and at the other end Tredrea and Motlop accomplished numerous feats to limit the damage.

The home side began the last intent on closing the game off within the first 10 minutes, but squandered a surfeit of opportunities to keep it tantalisingly open.

A fortunate goal to Leigh Montagna put the Saints in touch with plenty of time remaining, but Port held out in what was not the most watchable of finishes.

Port were set back after the final siren by the news that key utility Chad Cornes has a broken finger and will require surgery that may keep him out of action for a month.

Power coach Mark Williams praised his side for gutsing out a win in dour circumstances, and said they took great confidence out of the faith shown in them during the side's 0-4 start.

"We're just here to believe in ourselves and our players, they get a lot of confidence out of that," he said.

"We're not headstrong thinking there aren't things we can't improve on and as we've stated every time we lose and win I guarantee we can always find things we can improve."

Saints coach Ross Lyon said his players had been guilty of being too conservative in the early exchanges.

"The first quarter we were a bit conservative with our ball use and turnovers were costly," he said.

"After that the scoring was equal all of the way through."

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