PORT Adelaide SANFL coach Chad Cornes has challenged his side to dig deep and find a way to maintain their intensity following a 43-point loss to South Adelaide over the weekend.

The Magpies had stars all over the ground in the first quarter, with Kane Mitchell, Brendon Ah Chee and Louis Sharrad winning the stoppages and Sean Davidson and Tom Clurey holding strong down back, only allowing South to score 1.4.

Port Adelaide won the tackle count in the first quarter (16-6) and its pressure forced the Panthers to panic when they went forward, giving Port's half-backs a chance to mop up the lose ball and steer the ball down the middle.

But, from the second quarter, Port's hunger faded and players stopped hunting the football, allowing the Panthers to move out of the stoppages with ease.

It left Cornes to put the onus back on his players to develop their mental strength and be relentless in their attack on the ball when the scoreboard went against them.

“I don’t like questioning the team’s effort, but I definitely thought it was worth questioning today," Cornes said.

“I haven’t had to question the boys’ effort many times this year.

“We came to play early, but to be able to maintain that for four quarters was the difference in the game.

“Finding consistency for four quarters has been a problem all year, and we are still searching t find the answers for."

Cornes was, however, full of praise for key forward John Butcher's performance.

Butcher was the side's leading goal-kicker, booting three goals and he laid three tackles and took five marks - including three high-flying grabs.

“I loved Butcher’s game, especially early," Cornes said.

“I was really impressed with the way he is attacking the contest and working hard.

"He has so many critics out there and everyone is on his back when he doesn't play well.

"But in terms of games that he's played well, by far he's played more games that I've been happy with this year than the other way."

Port Adelaide has a bye in both the SANFL and AFL next week.

The Magpies will return to the field on Saturday July 2 when they play Central District at Elizabeth Oval.