PORT ADELAIDE coach Matthew Lokan was pleased with the finish to the game despite the 45-point loss to Norwood in the SANFL season opener.
Post-game, Lokan confirmed veteran midfielder Tom Rockliff suffered a concussion early in the fourth quarter.
“Rock copped a bit of concussion at the end of the game, so it took him out the game,” he said.
“We took Kane Farrell and Lachie Jones out of the game too, who will come to Perth on the plane.
“That left us with a few less numbers but we’ll have to adapt to that.”
The Port coach was also complimentary of Norwood’s work in the middle, stating it’s where the game was won.
“Norwood are a quality side, they started the game really well, they were fantastic at the contest and I think that’s perhaps where the game was won tonight,” he said.
“Unfortunately, they were just too good and credit to our guys, I thought we fought the game out really well in the second half but the damage was done by then.”
Sam Hayes was terrific in the ruck, winning 41 hit-outs and Lokan was satisfied with his performance.
“I thought Sam [Hayes] was quite good in the ruck, he was plus 20-odd in hitouts, but we got smashed at clearance and that was the difference in the game,” he said.
“They were able to get their hands on the ball first and once you lose that territory battle from stoppage, it’s hard to get it back.”
Defensive duo Jarrod Lienert and Trent McKenzie had 19 rebound 50s between them, and Lokan was impressed with their kicking out of defence.
“They’re both fantastic kicks and that’s their strength as defenders we need to win our battles first,” he said.
“The amount of ball they were getting down there, it was a tough night for them but they both helped on offense when we got the ball.”
Another positive note was the performance of father-son selection Taj Schofield, who had 22 touches and a goal.
“I thought his (Schofield) last quarter was really good, as a young guy it was his first game against men, especially at league level, for him to be able to come out and finish a game like that is really good and now we’ll build on that being able to do that for four quarters,” Lokan said.
Port Adelaide next takes on Central District at Alberton Oval on Saturday, April 10.
