PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley believes his team should have been good enough to hang on to a final-quarter lead before slumping to a 17-point loss at the Gabba on Saturday.

The Power looked headed for their third straight win of the season when consecutive goals to Paddy Ryder and Ollie Wines put them 10 points up with only 15 minutes left in the game.

It was a good comeback from Port Adelaide, after giving up the first four goals of the match and trailing at every break.

However, a blast of three goals in the final five minutes by the Lions gave them a 16.11 (107) to 13.12 (90) win, with the final margin arguably flattering the home side.

"We gave ourselves a great chance after a slow start, (and) probably hurt ourselves as much as they hurt us to be honest, with some of our finish," Hinkley said.

"That's what happens in games of football. I just said to 'Fages' (Chris Fagan) as he left, it was just two pretty good young teams going at it pretty well and someone has to win, someone has to lose.

"Unfortunately they had enough in the tank in the last bit to get over the line."

Port Adelaide stormed back into the game after a shaky start, with Connor Rozee (five goals) lifting his side with a sensational game by any standard – let alone a first-year player in his third game.

Sam Powell-Pepper lifted after a slow start with an important 29 possessions, while Paddy Ryder also starred with three goals and 24 hit outs.

But the Power didn’t take their chances despite dominating play, particularly in the second quarter where they spurned several golden opportunities to score only two goals and seven behinds.

"That’s what happens. If you don’t take your chances, you get yourself in a little bit of trouble," Hinkley said.

"All those things aside, we got ourselves back in front by 10 points and we should’ve been good enough to hang on.

"To the Lions’ credit they had plenty of run left in their game, and we didn’t go with them for that last four of five minutes."

Rozee's spectacular showing was no surprise to Hinkley, who said he didn’t think there'd be a better performance this round by a first-year player.

"He's an outstanding young person, but as we’ve said all along, all three of our first-round picks (Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma) have all played at a ridiculously high level for young players.

"It doesn’t surprise us, they get games on what they do over a period of time."

Tom Rockliff will have to overcome a concussion he suffered in the third quarter following an accidental clash with Hugh McCluggage if he is to play in Port’s home game against Richmond next week.

Robbie Gray came off with a sore shoulder in the last quarter, but Hinkley said he should be good for the Tigers match.