PORT ADELAIDE assistant coach Nathan Bassett was disappointed with his side’s inability to win the contested ball in Friday night’s 39-point loss to Collingwood.

The Magpies kicked seven unanswered goals in the opening quarter, and Bassett said the home side were simply stronger around the football.

“They were certainly a lot tougher in the contest and a lot cleaner early,” Bassett said at Adelaide Airport on Saturday morning.

“Collingwood played some great footy in the first quarter. Outstanding footy.

“They outworked us. Outnumbered much better than we did in the first quarter.

“We had little periods in the game where we showed that we could put some pressure on them and do okay, but we weren’t tough enough in the contest on the day.

“We didn’t play well enough for long enough. We were short of where we needed to be.”

The 42-year-old said the coaching staff and playing group were disappointed with the performance on a big occasion for the football club, but said they would take many learnings from the game.

“Post-game there was clearly disappointment,” he said.

“It was a big game for the footy club, in terms of Friday night footy and Boaky’s 250th.

“It’s around us continuing to get better and looking at the reasons why we struggled as much as we did.

“You are always reviewing what you do.

“You review all the players. You look at what we did well.

“There were still some good moments in the game but just importantly you look at where we can improve.”