PORT ADELAIDE SANFL coach Matthew Lokan says the ability to capitalise on goal scoring opportunities was the difference between his side and Norwood at Alberton Oval on Sunday afternoon.

The Magpies led early and came back from a 23-point deficit to remain within just nine points at the final change.

But a run of five consecutive Redleg goals to start the final term was enough to split the sides with the visitors finishing with a 28-point win.

“It was a quality SANFL game, but they were more effective than us with their ball use and were able to capitalise in front of goals, which was the difference in that game,” Lokan said.

“We were minus five in disposals, minus two in inside 50s and minus three in scoring shots, so we had enough of the footy, we were able to get enough inside 50, we just weren’t able to really finish off in front of goal, which was obviously disappointing.

Jake Neade was among the better players for the Magpies with 27 touches, four marks, five tackles and relentless pressure around the ball while Jack Watts continued to push for an AFL recall with 18 touches, six marks, four tackles and two goals.

The win was Norwood’s seventh in a row and put an end to Port’s two-game winning streak.

“It puts us behind the pack now,” said Lokan.

“We certainly need to win a majority of our remaining games (to be a hope of making the top five).

“But, we are more about focussing on what we bring each week.

“We’ve been really consistent with our effort and the style of play that we have wanted to play over the last month and I thought we were just a little bit off, which was disappointing.”

In his return from a lengthy stint on the sidelines with an ankle injury, Matthew Broadbent looked in reasonable nick, finishing with 13 disposals four marks and two tackles while fellow defender Jarrod Lienert had seven marks and three inside 50s to go with 14 touches on his return after knee surgery.

The Magpies next face the second-placed Eagles at Woodville Oval next Sunday.

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