PORT ADELAIDE coach Matthew Lokan has heaped praise on his players after a come-from-behind victory over Central District on Saturday afternoon.
Port trailed at every change, including by eight points at three-quarter-time, but kicked five goals to two in the last to secure a vital 9.3 (57) to 6.12 (48) win.
The two sides were locked in a tough battle in the opening three quarters, with just eight goals between them.
Lokan said with the game’s conditions, he looked to experience in the midfield and it paid off.
“They play a really competitive, contested game and that's the way Centrals play and credit to them is that they were able to put us under a lot of pressure,” he said.
“It's very one on one and I think both teams found it hard to be able to get some fluid ball movement in the first three quarters.
“We had to throw 'Hammer' [Hamish Hartlett] on the ball in the last quarter and Buttsy [Zak Butters] goes forward and kicks a really important goal.
“They showed their class and that's what we expect from them, they've both got some really good AFL experience.
“They were really important for us today.”
In the opening term, the Dogs had command of the contest but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard due to the pressure from the Port Adelaide defence.
Lokan credited the returning Tom Clurey and second-gamer Jake Pasini for their efforts.
“I thought early in the game. Tom Clurey was really important for us and Jake Pasini to his credit, in his second game for our footy club,” he said.
“One thing we know about Centrals is, is that they really compete and if you give them time and space, they really do hurt you here out at Elizabeth.
“We were lucky in that first quarter that we were able to stop a couple of those forward momentums and we're able to hang on in the end.”
Returning alongside Butters and Clurey was Jackson Mead, and Lokan praised his performance after recovering from a serious injury.
“Jackson Mead was pretty good around the ball and you got to think he's a young man, playing his second year of SANFL footy,” he said.
“To come back from the ruptured spleen and put himself into the contest, you wouldn't even know that he had been out for a long period.”
The win places the Magpies in touching distance of the top five after a rough three weeks, which yielded three straight losses.
“The last three weeks have been really disappointing for us and that puts us just percentage outside the five,” Lokan said.
“We need to continue to win and those games with sides that are around you on the ladder are really important.
“I was really proud of the guys to be able to stick on and get the result we're after.”
Port Adelaide next takes on Norwood at Alberton in Round 14.
