PORT Adelaide SANFL coach Chad Cornes has put the responsibility to play ‘team football’ on his players after the Magpies’ 30-point loss to a hungry Bulldogs side on Sunday.
The Magpies were bullied in the midfield as Central dominated the clearances (25-52).
Port was wasteful when in possession with Cornes expecting more from his AFL-listed midfielders.
"It is the most disappointed I've been in my time here," Cornes said.
"On paper, we looked like a really good team and sometimes that can be really dangerous.
"A lot of the boys came back playing for themselves, didn't play team footy, which was most disappointing.
"Hunting the footy and toughness inside (the contest) is something I thought we could've gone into the game ticking that box with the midfield we had out there.
"But when you don't bring effort and you don't try and do the team thing, that's what you get."
Sitting outside the top five after five rounds, Cornes said his side was capable of getting its season back on track, but needed to be willing to bring the right attitude into game day.
He demanded an on-field performance that reflects Port’s team values when the Magpies take on Sturt next weekend.
"You have to be confident [of improving]," Cornes said
"We have to play the way we speak and do the team thing, do the basics well and play tough.
"We will just keep emphasising the things we talk about and you have to do the basics better."
Port Adelaide plays Sturt at Peter Motley Oval on Sunday May 1 at 2.10pm.
