The Power continued their incredible topsy-turvy season with a 42-point loss to the Dockers at Subiaco Oval – the eighth time this campaign they have followed a win with a loss.
At quarter time, Port was 30-points down to the 15th-placed Fremantle and it was 66 points behind early in the fourth term before kicking five of the game's last six goals.
A flat Brogan said it was déjà vu in the Power rooms after the match and the players' effort and work rate needed to be scrutinised during the week.
"We've been in this situation most of the year – unfortunately it is what it is and we've got to regroup," Brogan said after the match.
"We always think we're going to turn the corner. Our preparation was right, our mood was right, but you can tell me [what we need to do] or if anyone has any suggestions.
"We'll just look at everyone's effort and work-rate. If it's not good enough then you just get dropped. I'm sure there'll be some blokes nervous about their effort today."
Coach Mark Williams wasn't prepared to forecast wholesale changes for Sunday's crucial clash with Carlton at AAMI Stadium, but he said
Peter Burgoyne, Brett Ebert, Paul Stewart, Matthew Broadbent, Josh Carr and Steven Salopek were all in line for selection.
The Power conceded six of the first seven goals and Brogan said the game was pretty much over at quarter time.
"The first 15 minutes we looked jumpy, we looked all over the place," he said. "We were out of it by the first quarter," he said.
"They got the ball out of the centre square through (Aaron) Sandilands (and) we got beaten inside early.
"We just went back to old habits again – we got jumpy, we went sideways and we missed targets.
"We ran the game out well, but that counts for little."
Port Adelaide has now lost to four of the competition's bottom five sides this season and it has twice been exposed on Subiaco Oval after going down to West Coast by 50 points in round two.
"Unfortunately against the bottom sides this year we've been off that five or 10 per cent for whatever reason – we've been trying things all year," Brogan said.
"(But) we rate every team and every player – to be on an AFL list you've got to be able to play.
"One thing about us, we never disrespect our opposition. Whether we get blown out of the water or not, that's never an issue with us – we never disrespect our opposition.
"I just think we were off that five or 10 per cent and it cost us."
