PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Dean Brogan lamented his side’s inaccuracy in its one-point loss against Greater Western Sydney, but was happy with the commitment from the playing group.
Port won the majority of statistics on Saturday night, but Brogan says it is difficult to win games of football when you are so inaccurate in front of goal.
“It wasn’t the best spectacle going around from a spectator’s point of view,” Brogan told SEN SA’s Breakfast program.
“I thought both teams cracked in and it was a scrappy sort of affair. I thought we did a lot of things right.
“We came into the game wanting to limit Lachie Whitfield’s influence - I thought we didn’t a pretty good job on that.
“In that last quarter, we absolutely dominated but if you kick 7.13 you are going to struggle to win games. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.”
The ruck coach was frustrated with his side’s inability to deny the Giants’ backmen intercept marks, and said Port’s players needed to use the ball with more composure heading inside 50.
“The Giants are one of the best teams in the comp at rolling off and intercepting marks,” Brogan said.
“The boys will review the tape this week - you are never going to take everything away from them, they are going to take some marks - but there were times when we needed to be a little more composed going inside 50.
“Maybe we should’ve gone more sideways or lowered our eyes going inside 50 instead of bombing it in. That’s the next part of our game and something we are addressing.”
Brogan has been really proud of Hamish Hartlett’s return to the Power line-up and the leadership the vice-captain brings on and off the field.
“He’s been really good for us since his return from his knee,” he said.
“He’s so important for us, not only what he does when he’s got the footy, but his leadership and what he does through the week.
“Right now, we need all of our leaders to stand up. We still have an opportunity to be knocking on the door for the eight.”