Brynn Teakle celebrates a goal with Hugh Jackson and Dylan Williams, with the former enjoying a successful return to the field after four weeks on the sidelines. Image: Loukas Founten.

PORT Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan was delighted the number of players who contributed in a much-needed victory over Central District at Woodville Oval on Saturday night.

The Magpies led by 11 points at three-quarter-time before breaking away to win by 23 – 11.8 (74) to 7.9 (45).

The outcome was helped by the three goals to the returning Orazio Fantasia and doubles by Sam Hayes, Trent Dumont and Hugh Jackson.

“It's a good result, we needed it. It's been a long time coming,” Lokan said of the game.

“I think the most pleasing thing was that we had a pretty good spread of players play well.

“It's great for our young guys developing to have some experienced guys in the team. It was a pleasing result and one that we've needed.”

Hayes showed development in his forward craft, while splitting his time between the forward line and the ruck in a dominant showing.

The 23-year-old had a team-high eight marks to go with two goals, 15 touches and 27 hit-outs.

“It was probably a different game for him because he played predominantly forward and rucked in patches in the game,” Lokan said.

“It's great for him to be able to impact as a forward, to be able to have two strings to his bow as a forward and a ruck is important for his development and I thought he was pretty good.”

Match report: Magpies return to the winners' list after downing Dogs

Sam Mayes was the leading player on the ground with 29 touches, six marks and six tackles in a game that possessed plenty of feeling, with the Bulldogs happy to bring a heap of physicality around and, at times, away from the ball.

Lokan said Mayes was tough inside and used the ball well but that was not unusual for the former Brisbane Lion, who always did a job for the team.

The Magpies welcomed back Jackson Mead, Xavier Duursma and Steven Motlop from the AFL, while Dumont, Brynn Teakle, Josh Sinn and Fantasia returned from injury layoffs.

Most pleasing for the coach was the way each of them contributed.

“Trent Dumont was terrific with two goals, Xavier Duursma didn't play last week, came back and was really solid,” Lokan said.

“It was great for Brynn (Teakle) and Josh Sinn to be able to get some really important minutes and I thought both of those guys really played some solid footy.

“There's a lot to like, Orazio finished the game with three goals.”

Orazio Fantasia finished the match with an impressive three goals, proving productive in his successful return to the field after a troublesome run with injuries. Image: Loukas Founten.

The Magpies defence, featuring Trent McKenzie and Sam Skinner alongside the inexperienced Ollie Lord and Dylan Williams, restricted the Bulldogs to just 7.9, the side’s lowest score conceded for the season.

“It was a bit of a different backline,” Lokan said.

“We had Cam Sutcliffe, Ethan Moore, Dyl Williams and Ollie Lord in defence. Dyl and Ollie haven't played a lot in the backline.

“As a development game for Ollie and Dylan as defenders it was a step forward for them and Trent McKenzie was really solid, which we expect for him at this level.”

The Magpies have a week off before travelling to Sturt to take on the Double Blues on August 6.