COACH Simon Goodwin says his team’s ability to find a way to defeat Port Adelaide by 23 points at the MCG on Saturday was due to the character of the group.

Goodwin said his charges bounced back strongly after falling to the Adelaide Crows by 46 points at TIO Stadium last round, but never gave up against the Power.

“I was really pleased with the way we played. We were pretty disappointed with our game up last week up in Darwin, especially around our contested ball and our clearance,” he said post-match.

“To get that back today was terrific, and to bring so many players back in [the team] ... we were going to struggle a bit at some point in the game.

“But the resolve of the group and their ability to continue to find [a way] – I thought shone through in the last quarter.”

Goodwin said the team had “a bit to go through this week”. 

“We’ve been really working hard with Max [Gawn] and Jesse [Hogan] earlier in the year,” he said. 

“They’re starting to come back to their best footy [after being sidelined], so that’s really pleasing.

“Jeff [Garlett] missed a lot of the week due to personal reasons, back in Perth, and Jack Trengove playing his first game [for the season] – there was a lot to play for today.

“I thought the spirit in the group and their mateship together was terrific today.”