ADELAIDE: Alan Richardson should have waited until Monday before signing his well-deserved new contract to coach St Kilda after losing to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

He could have demanded more for the stress that he endured during 120 minutes of frustration, watching his young team do so much right only to hand the ball over to the Power with wayward disposals, including abysmal kicking for goal and poor decision-making.

The appalling lack of skill under pressure was reflected by St Kilda's numerous turnovers, and the Saints lost by 63 points. Ultimately, the Power grew in stature as the Saints folded under pressure and dejection.

Port also spoiled some brilliant patches by coughing up the ball too often, so needless to say this wasn't one of the all-time classics.

The highlight was at the toss of the coin when past champions Gavin Wanganeen​ and Byron Pickett from Port joined the Saints' Nicky Winmar​ in a showing of support for Adam Goodes, and in a soccer-like gesture players from both sides walked passed each other in a line and shook hands. Maybe the niceties took the killer instinct out of this game as so many players failed to finish off quality play.

With Port leading by 25 points at half-time after both had 13 scoring shots, there was belief the Saints could steal this game if they had polished their skills during the break.

However, when Justin Westhoff​ kicked a freakish, dribbling goal from the right behind post for a goal just a minute into the second half one feared for the Saints. Hopefully Richardson was being well-paid.

St Kilda's fight for the hard ball and will to be better could not be questioned. The absence of captain Nick Riewoldt​ – their preferred link from the dashes from half-back – and his ability to take marks became more obvious as the game progressed.

Port were hurting with the first-quarter loss of Ollie Wines due to a shoulder injury, and the fact others lifted in the second half to give them the midfield edge was pleasing.

As much as the Power played with more vigour and dash through the centre than they have for most part this season, a really good side would have punished the Saints even more for their sins. For the most part it was like the players weren't adjusting to the early start.

Amid the rebounding mis-kicks and occasional catch we were treated to some great individual performances, particularly from Robbie Gray, Travis Boak, especially the class and courage of Chad Wingard​, and the Saints' Leigh Montagna and David Armitage.

Port's defence stood up well, especially Hamish Hartlett​, who is excelling in his half-back role, but without meaning to take anything away from his effort and that of his teammates, the Saints didn't help themselves by their constant struggle to take a contested mark inside-50. And often when they did take a grab, like Josh Bruce, the ball went off the side of the boot with the set shot.

As the frustration mounted and the anger set in with the could-have-been free kicks, the cold, harsh reality was obvious to all; you cannot expect to win when you miss seven of your nine set shots plus other kicks on the run that seemed so easy. There was irony when Bruce goaled from magnificent set shot after the final siren.

While Port continues to live in hope of contesting the finals and buoyed by the percentage, the Saints face a draw from hell – against Fremantle (Etihad), North Melbourne (Hobart), Geelong (Etihad), Sydney Swans (Etihad) and finishing with Montagna's likely 249th game against the West Coast Eagles (Domain). History will show another disappointing year, but like Sunday, not the kicks and handballs that missed their mark.