Gray: Losing margin 18-point to Carlton flattered Port Adelaide

ROBBIE Gray says the scoreline flattered Port Adelaide.

Robbie Gray

ROBBIE Gray says the scoreline flattered Port Adelaide.

The Power's best player yesterday admitted his side was outplayed by Carlton and was lucky to be within striking distance late in the game.

"Eighteen points at the end probably flattered us,'' Gray said.

The classy midfielder/forward praised the Blues for "putting on lots of pressure'' but conceded his young team has to start making better decisions and execute better if it is to snap a worrying three-game losing streak, especially with powerhouse Geelong next up.

"Kenny (coach Ken Hinkley) backs us to take our kicks and take the game on but you have to make the right decisions,'' Gray said.

"Opposition teams are now bringing lots of pressure and have probably looked at our game plan.

"We just have to mature a little bit, which will come, and young players need to make the right decisions at the right time.

"But we'll learn from this going forward.''

Port coughed up several goals with bad decision-making and errant kicking against the Blues.

Most of the blunders came in its defensive half of the ground, with the improved Cam O'Shea looking particularly shaky.

"To their credit Carlton played really well and put lots of pressure on us and forced us into turning over the ball,'' Gray said.

Despite never leading, Gray said Port never felt out of the game.

"We got jumped a little bit and their pressure was really good but at half-time we thought we were in the game and we were never really out of it,'' he said.

But every time the Power looked like it was getting back into the match, it would conceded a goal.

Port did not kick more than two goals in succession all game.

Gray said the Power was looking forward to the challenge of turning its season around, starting with the Cats.

"They are up and going and are a great side, so it will certainly be a good challenge for us,'' he said.

"It's one I'm personally looking forward to. We haven't been happy with the last three weeks but we're still in a good position (at 5-3).

"We know where we're at and where we need to improve to keep moving forward.

"The next month of footy up until the (round 11) bye will be a good test for us and then we'll be looking to close out the second half of the year well.''