PORT Adelaide captain Domenic Cassisi says his team’s inability to play four quarters has cost them the chance to break away from the logjam of teams in the middle of the ladder.

The Power led the way for much of the first half against Collingwood but a nine-goal third term from the Magpies saw them run away victors, leaving Port Adelaide at 5-5 along with six other teams.

“We have one bad quarter but it is a really bad quarter where the opposition scores a lot of goals. It is not too bad to have a bad quarter and try to maybe break even, but to be outscored as heavily as we have is really disappointing,” Cassisi said.

“We’ve got things in place that we practice during the week to try and stop that if it does happen. You don’t spend your whole time planning for it because you hope you’re not in that situation too often.

“It really let down the coaching staff.”

Cassisi said the Power were in a position where each game was crucial to their final placing on the ladder.

“We’ve had the opportunity to break free a little bit over the last three or four weeks. When we played the Kangaroos that was one that is hurting us. Today we had an opportunity to get a win on the board and break away from the other eight teams that are at 5-5,” he said.

“Once again we weren’t good enough but the boys need to stick together and make sure we’re the first team to break away from the group.”

Port Adelaide was dealt two big blows with Daniel Motlop a late withdrawal with an ankle injury and Chad Cornes injuring his calf.

Cassisi said both were big losses but he hoped the Power’s depth could cover them.

“Losing a key forward always hurts. We’d like to think we pride ourselves on our depth [and that] anyone coming in would play their role and help us win – there’s no excuses though,” he said.

“Chad getting injured is disheartening for him and he does everything to try and get himself up for a game. He was really pumped up this week to have a good game. For his body to break down is really disappointing for him.

Knowing Chad, he’ll do everything possible to get back.”