PORT Adelaide's players arrived at Alberton Oval admitting to feeling low and flat on Monday morning, their confidence dented by their shock 23-point loss to Adelaide on Sunday.

But although saying the defeat stung more than the club's previous two this season, vice-captain Brad Ebert said it had invigorated the desire to succeed.

The Power were outworked by the Crows, losing contested possession 163-133.

It was the club's worst effort for the season, after previously losing to North Melbourne and the Sydney Swans by just seven and four points respectively.

Ebert said his side's short break ahead of Saturday night's clash against Essendon would work in its favour, as his teammates were keen to bounce back.

"It makes you a little bit low on confidence, but it also makes you hungry," Ebert said.

"Whilst this was a little setback, it really makes you strive to win again.

"Everyone's pretty low and feeling a bit flat … I guess the beauty of it is that Essendon comes around in five days' time now.

"It's a quick turnaround and it's probably a good thing after a loss that you can really take what you need from it and then move on pretty quickly."

The loss was soured further by injuries to key defenders Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove.

Carlile finished the game with a hamstring injury while Trengove joined the growing list of Power players to hurt their ankles this season.

The short break might allow Port's players quick atonement, but it will likely see both Carlile and Trengove sit out Saturday night's game.

Ebert said that although their absence would be a blow, the club had enough leadership in defence.

"They've been instrumental so far this year, [but] they'll probably miss," he said.

"Tom Jonas and Jack Hombsch will really have to stand up and play those key roles.

"It will give someone else an opportunity if they do miss, a Tom Clurey, a Cam O'Shea – someone like that.

"Having such a strong SANFL team, we've got players who can come in and fill the role pretty well."

Both Clurey and O'Shea were named in the Magpies' best in their win over second-placed Sturt at the weekend.