West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has expressed confidence that a pair of defenders will step up to cover the loss of Reuben Ginbey.
Ginbey was arguably in All Australian form in the first half of the season before a quad injury on Saturday night, which looks set to keep him on the sidelines for the medium term.
Rhett Bazzo and Richmond recruit Tylar Young played important roles in the second half to keep West Coast in the game.
"I think 'Youngy' has had some really strong games for us. When you move clubs it's never easy," McQualter said.
"He had some games where he didn't play at his best and he's had some really strong games as well. He's a good leader and he'll step up I've got no doubt.
"He loves a big challenge, he wants to play on the best forwards every week and we're going to need him.
"I've been really impressed with Rhett. He's had better AFL form than WAFL form...I think he's competing well, had strong intercepts tonight and defending well."
McQualter was unable to add any detail about the severity of Ginbey's injury post game.
Despite the loss, there was clear signs of progression for the Eagles, dominating the second half after Port Adelaide led by 11 points at halftime.
In the past, the Eagles would have wilted to a comfortable defeat, but armed with Willem Duursma, Harley Reid and Tom McCarthy who have become week-to-week performers, they dug in and gave themselves a chance to win it.
Trailing by 16 points at three quarter time, the ball lived in West Coast's forward half in the last quarter and Port Adelaide did not have any rotations for the last four minutes, by which time its lead had been whittled down to under a kick.
Captain Liam Duggan said during the week that the worst days of the rebuild are behind West Coast and Saturday's fight was a positive step.
"Absolutely there's growth. We're so disappointed with that loss today and we thought we had chances to win it, but to be able to fight our way through pressure in the first half was (positive)," McQualter said.
Despite frantic forward half pressure, some costly misses and untimely errors allowed Port Adelaide to hold on and win by six points.
"Second half of the game, the way it looked was the way we wanted it to, we just had a little bit of trouble scoring at times...I'm gutted that's the outcome we got but pleased with the effort, will to win and compete," the coach added.
Tom Cole and Brandon Starcevich were shining lights of the night, with Cole kicking two goals in his best game since moving forward and McQualter praising his speed and team-first mentality, while Starcevich played his first game for the club.
He could play a third tall defender role in the coming weeks given Ginbey's injury.
