The Magpies lost 16.10 (106) to 8.9 (57) in Coffs Harbour in an effort which pleased coach Scott Abercrombie. It was just the scoreline which wasn't acceptable.

Abercrombie was philosophical about the loss yesterday. He said he couldn't expect his players to do things they weren't capable of.

Injuries and unavailability hampered the Magpies yet again in their premiership defence, and Abercrombie was tiring of citing that as a reason, week in, week out.

"You can't keep making that as an excuse," he said.

"We just have to do better with the players we've got."

Each team won two quarters on Saturday, it was just that the Tigers' winning margins outweighed the Magpies'.

A couple of Port Macquarie players had strong games again.

Isaac Brambley was good in the middle of the park, as was Riley Irwin.

Brayden Eastwell was back after a couple of weeks out. He took his time to get into the game, but was strong come the end of it.

The Pies' most experienced player, Steward Todd, led from the front again.

The Magpies lost to the same team by 130 earlier this season, and yesterday's winning margin of just 60 was pleasing for Abercrombie.

"We had a similar side, and so did they," he said.

"We weren't far off them. They weren't exceptional."

At least this time, the effort was there.

"The effort was exceptional," Abercrombie said. "For the first two weeks, the effort wasn't there."