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PORT Adelaide interim coach Garry Hocking says his side needs to improve its skills if they are to compete with strong clubs in the AFL, after errors against West Coast on Sunday proved deadly.
As has been the case for most of the season, the Power produced almost comical turnovers, sprayed kicks and fired off handballs that missed their targets.
The Power bettered the Eagles for inside 50s and tackles while they stuck right with their finals-bound opponent in contested possession and clearances, statistics that suggested a difference in skill level played a major role in the result.
Hocking said his side managed to use the ball to greater effect in the second half, especially when going inside 50, but was disappointed with the skills on show.
"It's a bit of care with the footy we need, no doubt," he said.
"We need to be a lot more careful when we win back the ball and sometimes when you turn the ball over through the middle part of the ground - and also our efficiency going inside 50 wasn't great.
"We tended to just kick the ball on the forwards' head.
"Full credit to West Coast. They defended really well though that period when we were entering our 50, but we've still got to be a lot more poised and have a lot more care through the middle part of the ground and also when we go inside the 50."
Hocking said the side could take some pride out of restricting West Coast in the second half of the second quarter, before outscoring them in the third term.
"The second quarter they played the way they wanted to play," he said.
"We got a little bit loose in the second quarter when they came at us with a massive press - they're very good at it - but I think our players, towards the back end of the second quarter, just started to use the ball a lot better.
"I reckon we just steadied the tide there a little bit, but unfortunately it wasn't transferring on the scoreboard."
Hocking said another positive for the Power was the performances of David Rodan and Justin Westhoff.
Westhoff managed 24 disposals and one goal, while Hocking rated veteran Rodan's defensive work highly.
The coach made several positional changes on Sunday, sending Westhoff to the wing and Rodan into defence to try to "freshen some guys up".
"'Westy' on the wing, I guess our supporters want to see him forward, but I thought he did some great stuff on the wing, he helps your ball movement, and I thought David Rodan today defended pretty well," Hocking said.
"His ability when he gets the ball to bounce and carry and run and hit up short targets, I thought that he was quite good."
Harry Thring covers Port Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
