PORT Adelaide coach Mark Williams has questioned his side’s work ethic following Sunday’s 54-point loss to Carlton at AAMI Stadium.

The Power impressed in the first and third quarters, but conceded 15 goals in the remaining two terms to slump to a second-straight defeat and fall out of the top eight.

Port Adelaide, coming off a six-day-break after a trip to WA, lost Josh Carr (sprained ankle) just 11 minutes into the game.

But Williams said the disappointing home loss had, ultimately, come down to work rate. “It was pretty obvious today that for two quarters we looked okay and for the other two quarters we were inept,” Williams said after the game.

“The players looked to have an inability to run or wouldn’t run…whatever it is. There was a definite feeling of [a lack of] work ethic in the second and last quarters.

“It’s always a factor when someone is down, but we were really disappointed with how we finished off that’s for sure.”

Port Adelaide recalled seasoned campaigners Carr, Peter Burgoyne, Steven Salopek and Brett Ebert for the clash with the Blues.

The quartet struggled to make an impact on Sunday and Williams conceded the coaches were still looking for the right mix of players.

“We were looking for our experienced players and players over 100 games to actually do something. Carr couldn’t, Peter didn’t, Salopek didn’t and Ebert didn’t,” Williams said.

“We just spent quite a bit of time looking at the mix of the players. We see Hamish Hartlett and Travis Boak as being the right sort. Dom Cassisi runs and tries hard. It’s just getting the right mix of players that do that.”

Essendon’s upset win over a previously unbeaten St Kilda means Port Adelaide’s finals destiny is no longer in its own hands.

Williams said the Power would aim to win their last two games –against the Brisbane Lions and North Melbourne – and the rest would take care of itself.

“We are where we are. You can ask all the other sides almost in the eight as well ‘do they believe they should be in the eight?’ or not,” he said.

“It’s a difficult task to get into the eight every year. It’s going to be right down to the wire this year and nothing is for certain for the next couple of weeks.”