PORT ADELAIDE coach Matthew Lokan has credited the strong start against Adelaide as setting up his side’s win in the SANFL Showdown.

The Magpies booted nine goals to three in the first half, including six in the first quarter, to set up a comfortable buffer against the Crows.

“We started really well and I think that was the tone that we set during the week,” Lokan said.

“It was to start really strong here at Adelaide Oval in what was a really important game, not only for our season, but for our football club being Showdown weekend.”

The Crows had responded after half-time, kicking seven goals to four to finish out the game.

Lokan said he was pleased with how his side combated the pressure.

“Certainly, credit to Adelaide, they came at us in the second half and we were able to withstand it,” he said.

“It was a really pleasing result for our guys to be able to play in front of such an amazing crowd tonight.”

Some experienced heads proved the difference for the Magpies, with Pete Ladhams kicking three the standout.

“Pete was really good,” Lokan said.

“He competed really the ruck and also up forward tonight and it was great for him to put together a consistent performance.

“I thought Jarrod Lienert was really good across halfback, Joel Garner has been playing some good footy now.

“I felt like our experienced guys stood up when it really mattered.

“Both Tyson [Goldsack] and Jase Burgoyne played their first game tonight, I thought they both did really well.

“Tyson is just a cool head out there under pressure, and he was really important for us.”

 Port Adelaide has a week off due to the state game before resuming normalities against North Adelaide a week later.