PORT Adelaide SANFL coach Garry Hocking was left to lament his side's inability to win the "critical moments" during its loss to reigning premiers Norwood at Adelaide Oval last Friday night.

The Magpies struggled to contend with the difficult conditions and managed just two goals after half time, eventually succumbing to a 21-point defeat.

While the Redlegs only narrowly won some of the key statistics, Hocking said it was the Magpies' failure to win the inside ball and the one-on-one battles that cost them the match on Friday night.

"The stats don't tell the critical contests - those one-on-ones were won and lost," Hocking said.

"We have to learn to find a way to win when the games get a bit bigger and we have to make sure we win the one-on-ones.

"Winning the one-on-ones was the difference against Norwood."

Hocking admitted the deficit could have been much larger if Norwood had not been so inaccurate, finishing with seven goals and 14 behinds.

But he also credited the Redlegs for taking their chances when the game hung in the balance with late goals to Persinos and Murphy snuffing the Magpies out of a win.

"Yeah they probably could've put us to the sword half-way through the second quarter," Hocking said.

"Our first quarter was really good, but one good quarter doesn't win you games.

"They took their chances in front of goal a bit more than us.

"Norwood is still the team to beat; they win their own footy, they are well structured and it's something we want to try and emulate."

Port Adelaide will now turn its attention to its match against Woodville-West Torrens on Saturday 2May at Alberton Oval.

"We know it's going to be a great contest and our boys will be really keen to have another go and make amends for this game," Hocking said.