IT WAS always going to be a tough assignment for inexperienced Port Adelaide ruckman Matthew Lobbe up against one of the in-form players of the competition in North Melbourne big man Todd Goldstein on Sunday.

Primus Doesn't Hold Back

Prior to the game, Goldstein had amassed more hit-outs than any other ruckman in the competition, averaging 35 a game, and was averaging 14 disposals a match.

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Down the corridor at AAMI Stadium, Lobbe was preparing to play his first game for the season and just the fourth of his AFL career.

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 A pre-season shoulder injury caused him to miss the opening two months of the season, and his return to football with West Adelaide had been inconspicuous.

In fact, if the 22-year-old had not received a call-up to replace injured veteran Dean Brogan, who strained his hamstring at training, he would've lined up in the SANFL reserves on Saturday.

But such is the Power's lack of experienced ruckmen they were left with little choice but to recall Lobbe, and he repaid the club's faith in the first quarter against the Kangaroos.

The former first-round draft-pick eclipsed his previous career-best effort of three possessions against Adelaide and St Kilda in rounds five and six last season, gathering seven touches in the first quarter alone to be the leading possession-getter on the ground at the first change.

Unfortunately for Lobbe, he was unable to sustain the effort against the much-improved Goldstein, who finished the game with a club-record 54 hit-outs, 13 possessions, four clearances and a goal to be one of the most influential players on the ground.

Lobbe ended the day with a respectable 14 touches, 25 hit-outs and six marks in easily his best game for Port Adelaide.

With Brogan in doubt to play against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Sunday, the 200cm Victorian could have another opportunity to demonstrate why the club believes it's sufficiently prepared for life after battle-weary warrior Brogan.

"We've got to see how good these young rucks are. I think there's some talent there and we're going to see how they go," coach Matthew Primus said.

"Jarrad Redden was back from injury [in the SANFL] this week and [rookie] Daniel Bass played his first game for South Adelaide in the seniors [this season] and went pretty good, so we've got some people to look at there.

"'Lobbes' has only played six or seven games coming off a shoulder reconstruction and I thought he competed well in the first quarter.

"We'll have a look at 'Lobbes' … but if Dean's fit he'll come back in."

Lobbe was not alone in dropping away in his performance after quarter-time.

The Power watched an eight-point lead midway through the second term turn into a three-goal deficit at half-time, and were outscored six goals to one by North Melbourne in the third quarter to trail by 51 points at the final change.

The inconsistent performance summed up Port Adelaide's season so far.

After the game, Primus was quite obviously fed up with his team's patchy efforts, refusing to blame inexperience for the fadeout and accusing his players of "rolling over".

Forward Jay Schulz said the team was equally frustrated with its inconsistency within games.

"It's the same message we've been giving you [the media] each week," Schulz said.

"For two-and-a-half quarters we're matching it with the best teams in the competition. There are positives to take out of the game, but it's just so damn frustrating that we can't do it [compete] for four quarters.

"We're trying our hardest to be able to get that consistency from our players. We know how frustrating it is and we apologise for that, but we are as frustrated as they [our supporters] are."

Brogan, defender Alipate Carlile (hip) and Hamish Hartlett (shoulder) are all in doubt for the clash with the Lions, while Jasper Pittard will miss three games with a hamstring strain.

Skipper Dom Cassisi was treated for severe cramping in his calf, but will make the trip to Brisbane.

Katrina Gill covers Port Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill