PORT Adelaide's new SANFL senior coach Chad Cornes said defensive mistakes cost his side a chance at victory in its opening round clash with Norwood.
While Cornes was proud of his side's physical approach, attack on the football and fight in the final quarter to cut a 31-point deficit to 18 points midway through the term, he admitted basic skill errors let the side down.
In his first game as coach, Cornes said patches of the second and third quarters where the Redlegs gained the upper hand were critical to the final result.
"I thought the boys' effort, intensity and toughness was good, we just didn't do the basics well," Cornes said.
"In the back half of the second quarter, there were some poor turnovers that they got goals from.
"I think their midfielders just got on top in the last quarter, but I'm pleased how the boys fought it out in the last quarter.
"[We] really went for it and took the game on [in the last quarter], but it's disappointing and it is never good losing."
Cornes said the performances of his young ruck duo in Dougal Howard and Jonathon Ross were promising for the club.
Howard, 19, and Ross, 20, were given the task of rucking against Norwood's premiership big man Sam Baulderstone, and 27-year-old Brady Dawe.
The young Magpies duo combined for a total of 36 hit-outs, just five less than the Norwood pair who finished with 41 combined.
"Dougal and Rossy competed pretty well in the ruck," Cornes said.
"They are going to be under sized at times, but I thought they fought out really well."
Port Adelaide travels to Mannum Oval next week for its Round 2 game against the Adelaide Crows' SANFL team.
The game will be played on Sunday 3 April, at 1.40pm.
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As it happened: Magpies v Redlegs
