LOOKING TO MAKE it three wins in a row, Port Adelaide were left to rue a slow start, ultimately going down by 15-points to South Adelaide at a windy Alberton Oval. 

The Magpies showed some fight deep in the fourth quarter with a late flurry of goals, but time was ultimately against them. 

Coach Hamish Hartlett put his side on notice after conceding six first quarter goals, frustrated with the team’s inability to match South Adelaide’s effort between contests. 

“I thought we fought really hard to claw the game back in the last three quarters, but unfortunately the damage was already done,” Hartlett said.

Despite the result, ruckman Dante Visentini continued his purple-patch of form over the last month, finishing the game with 18 disposals, 41 hitouts, seven tackles and a goal. Will Lorenz was another shining light for the Magpies with a game high 25 disposals as well as a goal. 

“The development of Will Lorenz – all season, but particularly since his stint in the AFL side – has been great. He plays the game with the right mindset, right from the very start of the game,” Hartlett said.

Adding injury to insult, the Magpies were forced to play the second half with a man down on the bench after Jed McEntee succumbed to a second quarter head knock that left him bleeding heavily. Unfortunately for McEntee, he will now be unavailable for next week after entering concussion protocols.

Port Adelaide will look to bounce back after today’s loss when they take on the Double Blues at Unley Oval at 2:10pm next Saturday.

South Adelaide 6.3 (39)   9.4 (58)   12.10 (82)   14.11 (95)

Port Adelaide    1.3 (9)     5.4 (34)    7.6 (48)      12.8 (80)

Disposals: Lorenz 25, Burton 21, Moore 19, Jackson, Visentini 18

Goals: Weidemann 3, Walsh 2, Anastasopoulos, Ferrari, Jackson, Lorenz, Moore, Sinn, Visentini

Best: Lorenz, Clurey, Visentini, Jackson, Weidemann