PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley says turnovers cost his side in its disappointing loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.

The Power was pressured into coughing up the ball on numerous occasions and at one stage nine of the Tigers’ first ten goals were the result of turnovers.

The home side eventually ran out 38-point victors and Hinkley said they were just too strong.

“At times in the game we were there to challenge and we hurt ourselves,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“Richmond were too good, let’s not get too confused. They played at a level that was above us with the way they used and moved the ball.

“But I thought at times, we got within a couple of goals or 15 points and then we’d have a really poor turnover and they make the most of that.

“They beat us with their game and they were too strong.”

The Tigers had the first three goals of the game before the Power fought back but costly and controversial free kicks and a strange 50 metre penalty against Justin Westhoff cost the visiting side dearly.

And even when the Power was within three goals in the second and third quarters, the Tigers had the answers.

“Our turnovers as much as anything were the most damaging part of the game and they were able to hit the scoreboard with that,” Hinkley said.

“We tried to defend it as much as we could but there were some that were just too hard to defend.

“We talked about composure. We want to play quite aggressively but some of the ones we made today were nearly the right choices they were just poorly executed again.

“When you do that it’s hard to defend it because everyone’s in go-mode and that’s what it should be.”

Hinkley was full of praise for the resurgent Karl Amon, who finished with 28 disposals and two goals as he continues to put together a career-best season, and Matthew Broadbent, who was composed in compiling 26 disposals and nine marks off half back, in his first AFL game since taking time off football to focus on his mental health.

The Power coach admitting to be disappointed that his side was outworked in the contest (153-132 contested possessions), despite winning the clearance numbers (37-24).

Port next faces Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, and Hinkley said his side was eager to return to the winners’ list and keep its finals hopes alive.

“We still give ourselves an opportunity and the competition keeps doing it to you, it keeps throwing up different results so our responsibility is to recover well, get ready again and be there to go and make sure that next week at Adelaide Oval and get a win on the board,” he said.

“Because as soon as we get a win back on the board now, we’re still alive. It’s such a close comp.”