Port Adelaide were unable to effectively counter Melbourne's run, allowing seven goals to go unanswered across the third and fourth quarters. Image: AFL Photos.

PORT ADELAIDE’s stand-in coach Nathan Bassett has lamented his side’s inability to control the ball and put on enough defensive pressure during the third-quarter of the loss to Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

The Demons piled on seven straight goals in a damaging third-quarter burst that saw Port’s ten-point lead early in the term become a 31-point deficit by the 16-minute mark of the final quarter.

Three late goals – to Travis Boak, Todd Marshall and Willem Drew – cut the margin to just 13 points before the game finished 12.11 (83) to 10.9 (69) in front of a small but vocal crowd at Traeger Park in Alice Springs.

Standing in with game-day messaging in the place of senior coach Ken Hinkley, who was home isolating under the health and safety protocols, Bassett said there was a key period which let his side down.

Match report: Port overrun by determined Demons in Alice Springs

“We lost control of the ball as much as anything else,” he explained after the game.

“Our fumbling and our ball use was quite poor in the back half of the second quarter.

“We were able to right the ship again early in the third and then probably the defence – we missed some tackles, weren’t able to hold up in the contest and Melbourne kicked seven unanswered goals, which was the difference.”

Electric Melbourne forward Kysaiah Pickett was the difference in a low-scoring affair that at times proved saw each side keeping the ball for period but unable to hit the scoreboard.

South Australian Pickett – the nephew of 2004 Port Adelaide premiership player Byron Pickett – booted 6.1 in a man-of-the match performance.

Despite the loss, Bassett said there were some positives out of the game including the midfield’s ability to win the clearances, with makeshift ruckmen Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson standing tall again against premiership ruck duo Max Gawn and Luke Jackson.

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Nathan Bassett press conference - 17 July | PTV

Nathan Bassett speaks to the media following Port Adelaide's loss to the Demons.

“I think our work out of stoppage was really strong to be able to nullify their ruck and their mid threats and get the ball in our half, I think that was a positive,” Bassett said.

“I thought Aliir (Aliir) played a really strong game behind the ball and lots of the parts of the game there was lots to like but our fumbling, and overuse and Kysaiah Pickett all contributed to the loss.”

Port Adelaide actually moved up the ladder into eleventh position after Gold Coast’s loss to Essendon in Melbourne with the Power still one win and percentage behind eighth placed Richmond in the race for finals football and with a big Saturday evening game at Adelaide Oval against ladder-leader Geelong next week.

“It makes it tough but there’s still five games to play and if we win five games, we’ll be a very good chance to be in the eight,” Bassett said of his side’s finals chances.

“There’s still plenty to play for in the season. I think we’ve got a good core of emerging players that are developing well and give us a chance for success in the future and we’ll be doing our best to beat Geelong next week.”

Midfield gun Connor Rozee was a standout in the loss, recording 33 disposals, four clearances and a goal. Image: AFL Photos.

Bassett was one of a handful of players and coaches at Port Adelaide who were involved in the club’s last visit to Alice Springs back in 2016.

He was full of praise for the venue and the energy created by the 6312-strong crowd.

“It’s a great oval, it’s big, the oval is in great nick,” he said.

“It is a good place to play footy and there are so many footy fans up here and it’s great to give them a chance to see AFL footy.”