PORT Adelaide coach Mark Williams has called on his senior players to show leadership after Sunday’s disappointing loss to Collingwood.

The Power lost by 38 points after leading for most of the first half, and Williams pointed the finger at his more experienced campaigners rather than his younger players.

“The fact of the matter is our best players or our oldest, most experienced players aren’t playing well. In times of crisis, they need to lead,” Williams said.

“If they start playing well, it makes it a hell of a lot easier for a lot more of us. I’m not saying every person there in that (leadership) group, but I’m saying enough of those aren’t playing to that standard. We’re hanging the young blokes a little bit to dry, and that makes it difficult for them.”

Williams said the loss was frustrating as it kept his side stuck in the logjam in the middle of the ladder.

“We’ve lost the last two games, so of those that are 5-5, we are probably not the sharpest of those on the way up,” he said.

“We need all those supporters to hang in there. It is going to be a tough year, it is going to be a tight year, and it certainly is one of those years that don’t come around very often where it is going to be a struggle for a lot of teams. There is going to be a lot of ups and downs and heartache, and you’ve got to keep working your way through it and persisting.”

The heartache was plentiful for Port Adelaide at the MCG, with Daniel Motlop a late withdrawal with an ankle injury and Chad Cornes set to miss some action after injuring his calf. Williams said the mounting injuries took their toll as the game wore on.

“We talked about it for a long, long time. You are trying to get away with things, and today I thought we were found out with too many players that weren’t fit at the end of the game,” he said.

“They just couldn’t chase, they couldn’t add to the group, couldn’t interchange enough. Collingwood brought a couple back and they got through the game without any problems.”

Williams said he was pleased his side was able to nullify Leon Davis, Tarkyn Lockyer and Scott Pendlebury, but acknowledged the efforts of Dane Swan, who finished with 48 possessions.

“You can’t shut everyone down. I suppose Dane’s kicking is not as good as the others. We tended not to worry as much about him, but obviously he had a big influence on the game in the end.”

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