Despite trailing by just nine points after maintaining a competitive pace early in the game, the Magpies were dominated by the Double Blues in the middle and struggled to hold pace with the fifth-placed home side.
Tom Gray was a shining light for the Magpies along with contracted senior list players Ben Sawford and Zac Hawkins.
Gray amassed 30 disposals, six tackles, 10 clearances and a goal to cap a strong return to his best form, while both Sawford and Hawkins were consistent in tough conditions after their League appearances last week.
But the experience among many of Sturt's senior players in their reserves team proved the difference at times, as its classy midfield cleared the ball more than twice as often from centre as the Magpies.
It helped pile the pressure on the black and white defence, with Sturt enjoying 27 more entries into their attacking 50, as the Magpies struggled to get the ball past the centre circle on the rebound.
Still, the Magpies found some highlights up forward, like the two goals kicked by Anthony Prior who continues to play consistently in attack.
Port Adelaide's Academy side will have a bye due to the split round, before returning for one match against North Adelaide on Saturday July 12.
SCOREBOARD
PORT ADELAIDE 2.2 3.4 5.5 7.9 (51)
STURT 3.5 6.11 10.16 16.19 (115)
portadelaidefc.com.au's best
T. Gray, Sawford, Hawkins, Venter, Proude, Masters
Goals
Prior 2, Corcoran, Karpany, T. Gray, Gordon, Haren
