PORT Adelaide coach Mark Williams was buoyed by the performances of the club’s next wave of stars despite his team not taking the four points against St Kilda on Sunday.

Despite feeling a “keenness about the contest” at the last break – when the Power led by 13 points – St Kilda overran Williams’ side.

The Port Adelaide coach believed an inability to get the ball to his quicker, more creative players in the final term proved decisive.

“People like [Danyle] Pearce and [David] Rodan couldn’t get the ball much,” Williams said after the match.

“I think they (St Kilda) kicked quite a few, maybe four goals in the last quarter from stoppage [plays], which you know we’d been doing pretty well as far as scoring goals ourselves in the first three quarters.

“As a group, to be in front of St Kilda for most of the day was pretty impressive but once again [we’re] disappointed with the result at the end.”

Looking at the bigger picture however, Williams said the match – in which his team led for the vast majority – showed the future was in good hands.

Several Port Adelaide youngsters, including two debutants, impressed leaving the coach with a pleasant-enough taste in his mouth despite the Power being run over the top in the final 15 minutes.

“Going into the game, obviously by our selection, we were looking to find some positives for next year,” Williams said.

“I thought that both Nick Salter, in a quarter and a bit, kicked beautifully like I thought he could and showed a bit which was nice.

“[And] I thought Mitch Farmer played particularly well most of the day.

“He played hard and tough for a young guy playing his first game … it was great for our people to be able to see him come through.”

While Port Adelaide’s more experienced stars like Kane Cornes and Dean Brogan were reliable throughout the match, it was the visitor’s youngsters who also stood up to ensure the round 18 fixture – that many believed would be a walkover – was compelling viewing for those at the venue.

Williams said young ruckman Fabian Deluca had been “more influential” after a quieter outing against Fremantle the previous week, while promising forward Justin Westhoff “showed some really nice things”.

Among the most exciting aspects of the afternoon for Port Adelaide was the display of emerging star Travis Boak.

The No.5 pick from the 2006 NAB AFL Draft ran alongside St Kilda star Lenny Hayes for much of the day and while the Saints midfielder had just 16 touches and one clearance, Boak flourished – gathering 28 disposals and four clearances.

“That was a great challenge and one that we thought he did particularly well,” Williams said of Boak’s job on Hayes.