PORT Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan was left frustrated by turnovers in his side’s 18-point loss to Norwood on Sunday.
In front of a vocal crowd in gloomy and cold conditions at Alberton, Port closed to within five points in the last quarter before fading to lose 15.4 (94) to 11.10 (76) in a spiteful clash between the traditional rivals.
Despite the result, the Magpies mentor was pleased with his side’s effort, though disappointed by costly mistakes.
“We tried hard, it was a competitive game,” Lokan said.
“We brought really good energy, our hunt and attack on the contest and the opposition was really strong.
“But, mistakes and inability to be able to finish our work in the end cost us the game.
“They were able to capitalise on our turnovers and we perhaps weren't able to do the same the other way.
“Credit to them, they were just too good in the end, but I feel like our guys tried really hard.”
The Magpies led by two points at quarter-time but were well outplayed in the second term to trail by 20 points at the main change.
A third-quarter fightback kept the game on edge until the last ten minutes when Norwood was able to open up a four-goal advantage before a goal after the final siren to Steven Motlop brought it back to a three-goal game.
“It's probably the story of season...we've been good in patches, but we just haven't been able to maintain it for long enough,” Lokan said.
“That patch in the second quarter where they got on top and the late goal into half-time (was a good example).”
Motlop returned to the Magpies line-up after his omission from the AFL side and racked up 28 disposals, seven clearances and three tackles to go with 2.1.
Lokan was pleased to get the experienced forward around the ball to add class to the midfield.
“It was a good opportunity to get him around the ball and get his hands on the footy,” he said.
“He plays a pretty unrewarding role at AFL level as a high forward and to be able to get him around the ball and get his hands was good for him.
“It was handy for him to be able to get some confidence and get some footy.”
Two familiar last names in Schofield and Burgoyne had a significant impact against the Redlegs, and Lokan has been satisfied with the development of both Taj Schofield and Trent Burgoyne – who again played an unfamiliar role off half back.
“It's good for Trent to get some reward for the effort he's been putting in,” Lokan said after the older Burgoyne brother had 23 disposals, seven tackles and three marks – complementing his brother Jase’s 17 touches and four rebound 50s.
“I think Trent would agree that he hasn't got his football to the standard that has been consistent to play league football.
“But he finished the game with 23 disposals and gave us some real drive off half-back and he hasn't played a lot of half-back for us over the last couple of years, so to be able to change from being a small forward and go to halfback and have an impact is really good.
“Taj just continues to grow his game and develop as a young man. He probably played more as a forward today than what he has previously and he's got some things he needs to work on.
“But he continues to work really hard on his game and he's starting to become a consistently league player, which is great.”
Sam Mayes was a consistent presence around the ball, winning a team-high 33 disposals and a game-high 11 clearances while premiership Redleg Anthony Wilson was always threatening in the forward line, finishing with three goals.
The result means the Magpies remain eighth on the ladder, three wins outside the top five ahead of next Sunday’s game at Alberton against the second-placed Glenelg.
