In the face of losing six players pre-game due to health and safety protocols, the Magpies were unable to overcome a dominant Glenelg outfit. Image: Michael Sullivan.

PORT ADELAIDE coach Matthew Lokan said his young side was simply ‘beaten by the better team’ as it went down by 39 points to Glenelg at Alberton on Saturday.

The Magpies were smashed pre-game by health and safety protocol issues and injury, seeing debutant Aiden Turner make his first appearance and ruck coach Matthew Lobbe pull on a jumper.

“I thought we rocked up with a real attitude to just compete, we lost six before the game with health and safety protocols,” Lokan said.

“Two with the injury, one in the warm up, to be able to have nine or 10 changes to your team from last week and come out and compete the way we did was a massive credit for our young group.”

The Magpies set about a tackling masterclass, particularly in the first half, with skipper Cam Sutcliffe and Ethan and Nick Moore amassing 25 tackles between them.

“They just compete and that's what we love about them,” Lokan said.

“Competing only gets you so far at league level and Glenelg’s class showed at the end and that was the difference in the game. 

“As a coach, you can't be disappointed if the boys give their all and we were an extremely young group. 

“You ask for effort and guys to give what they had and they certainly did that.”

Cam Sutcliffe was influential around the ground, finishing with 19 touches and nine tackles. Image: Isabel Gawel.

Lobbe came into the side very late, but Lokan said it was handy for rucks Dante Visentini and Sam Hayes to play alongside him.

“He's probably finding his lungs a bit, it was a challenge for Lobbes, but he did kick a nice goal late,” he said.

“It's a great development tool to be able to have someone of his experience to play and help our younger guys and we were certainly young and I thought our leaders led really well.”

One of the Magpies’ best was Jake Weidemann, who played on Glenelg power forward Liam McBean, and held him to just two goals, both kicked in the last five minutes of the game.

“He was outstanding, he's given away 15 or so centimetres,” Lokan said.

“It was just what we had to do and bar the last I think two minutes, I think Liam (McBean) kicked two, he kept him goalless up to then.”

Orazio Fantasia also got through the game, in news which is sure to delight the Port Adelaide community.

It was the first time the mercurial forward had played a game this season, having previously been an unused AFL medical sub and suffering a quad injury in the opening minute of his SANFL comeback some weeks ago.

The 26-year-old was inaccurate in front of goal, managing 0.4 but amassed 17 disposals, six tackles and three clearances while spending time on the ball.

“He's had a really good training block now for last couple of weeks. And I thought he brought that into the game,” Lokan said.

“He probably didn't finish as well as what we would have liked kicking four points, but he looked really sharp around the contest and he looked like he's getting back somewhere near his best.”

Port next take on North Adelaide at Prospect.