DRAINED, frustrated after another inconsistent performance, and nursing the hint of a black eye, Matthew Broadbent said all he needed to of Port Adelaide's mental state: "We probably can't go any lower".
The Power were destroyed after quarter-time against Geelong on Saturday night, conceding 15 of the 18 goals kicked after the first break.
They gave up their four-goal quarter-time lead quickly – the Cats piled on six unanswered majors through the second term and never looked back.
Port again struggled at the heart of the contest, trailing contested possession 165-126 and clearances by 12, and the combination of Rhys Stanley and Zac Smith was too much for a lonesome Matthew Lobbe as the Cats won hit-outs 60-28.
Speaking to AFL.com.au after Saturday night's loss, Broadbent couldn't help but repeat the need for the playing group to remain tight in order to drag its way out of a sizeable hole.
"It's not working for us at the moment, but all we can do is stick together and come out the other side," Broadbent said.
"We're all in it together, and if someone's having an off day you've got to rely on someone else to step up because you're not going to be on every day.
"There's too many of us that are having off days and when that tipping point comes then you get results like we did tonight.
"We just need to stick together and hopefully it turns – we probably can't go any lower than we are now.
"In that sense we've got nothing to lose and we've just got to work through it."
The Power can't allow their frustration to be directed at anything other than their predicament.
Broadbent said "sticking together" meant maintaining their positivity at training, and having faith in each other and in the coaching staff – if any of those elements disappear the club's year is cooked.
Port's opening term provided yet another glimpse of what its best football can still produce.
Playing with a clear directive to show heart, physicality and intensity after the embarrassment of the round-four loss to Greater Western Sydney, the Power blitzed the Cats early.
Broadbent was the instigator.
He owned the first five minutes, winning possessions, taking marks and kicking a goal to set the tone.
He said that although it was great his side was able to start the game well, it counted for nothing.
"After last week we had to respond, and I think the first quarter was good, we were tough, we were in the contest, we were getting the ball forward," he said.
"The most frustrating thing is when they fought back at us and turned the screws up we couldn't go with them.
"For three quarters they pretty much ran the show."
