A drop off in intensity in the second half combined with key injuries contributed to a 72-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday at Adelaide Oval according to playmaker Shaun Higgins.

The classy utility did not defend the Bulldogs performance after the main break against the competition’s ladder leaders but said there were positives to take out of the first two quarters.

MATCH REPORT: Read the match report from Saturday's loss to Port Adelaide. 

“I thought our intensity and effort early was really good and no doubt we were in the game until half time,” Higgins said.

“[We are] really disappointed in the second half.”

After strong recent form in the contested side of the game, Higgins said top of the ladder Port gained control of contested possessions and ultimately the game.

WATCH: Senior Coach Brendan McCartney's post match media conference.

“Our effort dropped away,” he said.

“The inside of the contest is what we pride ourselves on and when that’s not right it makes it really difficult not just to win games but to just be in games as well.”