PORT Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan has lamented his side’s poor execution in Saturday’s loss to West Adelaide.
The Magpies started slowly and trailed all day, with the Bloods prevailing 12.9 (81) to 7.12 54) in trying conditions at Richmond Oval.
Lokan’s side won the clearances, inside 50s and hit-outs, but butchered the ball at crucial moments and paid the price.
“It was pure execution. We couldn't execute our skills,” Lokan said after the game.
“We made errors at critical times in the game which Westies were able to capitalise on.
“The contest was okay, but if you can't execute at this level, regardless of whether you're playing a side down the bottom of the ladder or the top of the ladder or in the middle, you just can't win games.
“We weren't able to execute, and we lost the game.”
Port did close to within seven points in the last quarter but fell away to hand West its first win in 27 games.
Post-game, Lokan said he asked his players how it felt.
“I've probably got a little bit wiser in my old age, and didn't rant or rave too much,” he said.
“I just explained to them and asked them how it feels and they're disappointed.
“We expect to be better than that, but then we also discussed that if you can't execute under pressure, at the league level, you just can't win games of footy.
“We can make excuses around clearances and hit outs and inside 50s and all that kind of stuff, but if you can't execute, you just can't score. We've just got to work on our craft.”
SANFL contracted defender Jackson Lee returned to the side for the first time since the Russell Ebert Tribute Match in May and Lokan took some positives from his performance.
“We certainly missed him over the last six or seven (games). The last time he played was last time we played Westies,” he said.
“I thought he was really solid for us across half back. I thought Jed McEntee's attack on the ball was fantastic and our leaders Sam Mayes and Cam Sutcliffe led well, they just didn't have much support.”
Port Adelaide could welcome back a host of players from injury next week when it takes on Central District at Woodville Oval on Saturday night.
