SAM Powell-Pepper showcased his quality in Port Adelaide’s 24-point loss to Sturt on Sunday, registering 30 touches, a goal, 10 tackles and eight clearances.

Powell-Pepper lost his place in the AFL side this week for its win over Carlton, but coach Matthew Lokan was delighted with his response.

“He was outstanding in the front half for us and came back with a really good attitude,” he said.

While the result leaves the Magpies in a tough spot for finals qualification, the development of some of the side’s youngsters continues to impress.

“You can't give a side an eight-goal-to-one start, it's very hard to comeback when you give a start like that,” Lokan said.

“Credit to the boys, they finished off the game, but you can't play like that and expect to win too many games.

“It's probably been our story of the second half of the season is that we haven't been able to play for more than a couple of quarters and it was probably like that again today.

“I think that was one of the positives out of today, Joel (Garner) has been really consistent for us in the backline, but we're probably a little bit undersized in the front half and he went there late last weekend and kicked a couple of goals.

“We put him forward today and I thought he was really good.

“I thought Jed McEntee was terrific as well, it was probably the best game he's played for us.

“Ollie Lord, Jake Pasini and Jackson Mead haven't played a lot of football against men and it was a COVID-interrupted year last year and the last two guys have had a few injuries at the start of this season.

“Just being able to play against men in competitive good SANFL football is really important for their development and their growth.

“Those three guys in particular have shown some patches where they can compete at the level and we hope they continue to grow.”

Port Adelaide take on South Adelaide this weekend at Alberton Oval.