INCREMENTAL improvements are critical to Port Adelaide turning its on-field fortunes against lofty teams around."Contest, and sticking to what we know - that's what we didn't do.
So says the Power's defensive coach Nathan Bassett, who lamented an opportunity to go three-in-a-row gone begging in last Saturday's loss to Melbourne.
It was tough watching early, with the Power falling four goals behind at quarter time and then almost doubling that deficit before half time.
Bassett pointed to Port's lack of will to contest the game as damning.
"Contest, and sticking to what we know - that's what we didn't do," Bassett said.
"Even early in the game, when the game was on the line, players didn't play their roles. Our running numbers were as poor as they've been."
The Power's sluggish start was the chief contributor to the defeat.
While the margin was reeled within three goals late in the final term, Melbourne held strong to claim the eventual 23-point win.
Beaten at stoppages by the Demon midfield and left chasing the home side, Port needs to improve its ability to hang with opposition when the pressure is on.
Bassett said the game against Geelong - where the Power
"In the first quarter [against Melbourne], we were poor in the contest, got smacked up in the clearances for the first quarter and five minutes," Bassett said.
"We didn't start the game well enough, it made it too hard.
"We've had periods of games where we haven't been good enough in the contest. I think Geelong, early, we weren't particularly good in the contest, but we were able to stick to our system and hang in there.
"It's an area we need to get better at."
Port Adelaide's focus turns to St Kilda at the Adelaide Oval this weekend. The Power sits ahead of Sydney,
St Kilda
Port Adelaide hosts St Kilda at 4.05pm ACST on Saturday 29 July at the Adelaide Oval.
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