And he says his team needs to be able to lift for all its matches, not just clashes with its crosstown rival.
Port stunned the Crows, who stormed to a 27-point lead at quarter-time and led by as much as 34 points during the second term, by outscoring them eight goals to two after the main break to record a stirring 32-point victory in Showdown 30.
"To bounce back, especially after the start we had, showed a bit of character," the Power coach said.
"I just thought we were panicking [in the first quarter], we made some poor decisions and we gifted them four or five shots on goal.
"We aren't a good enough team yet to be able to give opposition goals on a plate, but to the players' credit, we knuckled down and were able to turn it around."
Adelaide's midfielders dictated play early in the match, while Port's on-ballers struggled to make an impact, leaving the Power goalless at quarter time.
This provoked an old-fashioned spray from Primus during the break.
"It was just a matter of finding guys who could win us the ball," he said of his animated address.
"It was frustrating. They [the Crows] were up and about and dominating.
"All of their on-ballers had lots of possessions."
Asked whether the 'Showdown-factor' and the sense of occasion played any part in Port's revival, Primus said his players had to learn to produce that level of performance no matter the situation.
"We can't be a team that just gets up for Adelaide, or any other team we have a good rivalry with. We have to do it week-in week-out," he said.
Primus' theory will be put to the test next week, with Port Adelaide taking on the winless Gold Coast at AAMI Stadium next Saturday afternoon.
Max Phillips covers news from AAMI Stadium for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_MaxPhillips
