Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters has left the ground in the hands of trainers after his right ankle was caught and twisted in a marking contest.
Butters immediately grabbed at his ankle after he landed and looked in serious pain as he was walked off the field.
To add insult to injury, Power key forward Mitch Georgiades also left the game early after he suffered a concussion during the Round 18 match against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Georgiades was involved in a heavy clash as he and Saints ruck Rowan Marshall collided mid-air inside the Power's attacking 50.
While Marshall recovered, Georgiades rose groggy and immediately went down into the rooms to conduct an HIA, which he failed.
The Power were dominated by the Saints in the first half as both clubs look to stay within reach of the top 10 and an all-important wildcard spot. Before responding with a six-goal third term to bounce back into the contest.
Port Adelaide players were breaking down across the ground with defender Lachie Jones unable to finish the match with a rib injury, while utility Jack Lukosius played on despite clearly being hampered by a leg issue.
The concussion to Georgiades and the ankle injury to Butters mean the Power will likely be without both stars for their next match against ladder leaders Fremantle at Adelaide Oval next Saturday.
If Josh Carr's men were to lose today against the Saints and to the Dockers, it would nearly rule them out of wildcard contention with only five more games to go.
With Butters likely to return to his native state of Victoria this upcoming off-season, pending on the timeline of his injury, Saturday's match could be the last Power fans and the league sees of the two-time All-Australian in teal and black.
The star key forward had been well held across the first half, with St Kilda defender Jack Silvagni keeping Georgiades to just one possession before he exited the game.
Port Adelaide' gun key forward has had a strong 2026 season to date, kicking 37 goals across 17 games to sit inside the top 10 of the Coleman Medal.
