PORT ADELAIDE SANFL coach Matthew Lokan says Sunday’s clash against the Eagles is a must-win game in the context of the season.

The Magpies sit sixth on the ladder, five points out of the top five after losing to Norwood at Alberton Oval last week.

Having played reigning Premiers Sturt and third-placed Norwood in the past fortnight for one win and one loss, Lokan’s side next faces another test at Woodville Oval against the second-placed Eagles who are unbeaten in four games.

“They’re a really quality side,” he said.

“They’ve been good for a number of years and they just find a way to continue to keep winning so it’s going to be a big challenge for us on Sunday.”

“The players have no fears about playing there, in fact it’s a nice big ground which suits our outside running game so we go there confident that we will compete and win the game and if we can play four quarters we’ll get the result we are after.”

Lokan has identified the Eagles’ midfield depth and strength both on the inside and outside as key to their success.

“Their contested ball game is pretty good but when they get the ball on the outside it’s pretty hard to stop guys like Chris Hall and James Boyd,” he said.

“We’ll have some things to try to counteract their outside game and their running game but we have to be aware that if you let them win at the contest they’ll cut you apart.”

Lokan loses gun forward Jack Watts, small forward Aidyn Johnson and defender Darcy Byrne-Jones to the AFL side but he regains defenders Jack Hombsch and Trent McKenzie as well as forward Todd Marshall.

He said the Eagles have some good forward firepower in Jack and Nick Hayes but he now has the defence to combat them.

“When you add McKenzie and Hombsch into your side you’re always going to be stronger,” he said.

“Add Broadbent and Lienert in their second games back – and both were pretty solid last week.

“I’m not sure we’ll have a straight match-up for Jack, it’ll just depend where he plays.

“He’s in great form. I watched the game against Glenelg a couple of weeks ago and he was dynamite, I think he kicked three or four goals in the first quarter.

“Him and his brother Nick are both quality players and have proven this year that they can kick goals so whoever plays on those two guys will have a big task.”

Against Norwood, Lokan said, the Magpies were wasteful in front of goal and coming out of defence.

He said that needed to change on Sunday.

“If we can tidy that up the boys are confident we’re in a good space but this game is really important in the context of our season and one we must win,” Lokan said.

“The boys are just eager to get back out there and play after a disappointing game last week.”

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