A WASTEFUL first half saw the Western Bulldogs "let one slip" in their 13-point loss to Port Adelaide, according to coach Luke Beveridge.

The Dogs held the advantage at quarter and half-time against the top-of-the-ladder Power at Adelaide Oval, but didn't capitalise on their chances.

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They were then overrun after the main break, conceding four goals to none in the third quarter to head to their second loss within a week.

The Dogs' forward line struggled to make the most of their forward forays with only six contested marks for the night, having also recorded more inside-50 entries than the Power (39 to 35).

"It was high intensity most of the night so most of those entries were surged. We haven't got a big forward line at the moment so our small to mediums are at times struggling to compete in the air," Beveridge said post-game. 

"Their defenders took a few too many intercept [marks], but it happened at the other end of the ground as well with (Charlie) Dixon and (Mitch) Georgiades taking eight between them but that's where we're at. 

"We're going to continue to pick sides that will get across the ground and win games on our terms, and we had our opportunity tonight so we let one slip."

The defeat leaves the Bulldogs outside the top eight with more than half of the home and away season completed and a clash with premiership fancy Brisbane awaiting on Saturday.

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Beveridge said he was still assessing where his team sat in the competition's pecking order. 

"That's our 10th game, we're 5-5, [so] you just take the evidence before you. I'd say we're about middle of the range. But I believe that some of the young guys can progress really quickly," he said. 

"Port are on top of the ladder, they've beaten some teams, they've still got to play some teams, and it's hard to know who's going to be there right at the pointy end at the end of the year."

 Power coach Ken Hinkley praised his side's ability to back up after a four-day break and overcome the Dogs. 

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He said Port had felt the effects of the short turnaround but had made some crucial adjustments at half-time that helped get on top in the second half.

"We were trying to fake it a little bit early, we were trying to pretend that we were feeling really fresh and up and about," he said. 

"But it's a solid performance. I don't care who you are and every team's going to witness it and feel it and experience a bit of it. But our resilience again was pretty special. 

"We were almost entitled to be a fair bit down at half-time I think, but our defensive group and defensive team actions really held up for us. As we've done a few times this year now we've been able to adjust, reset and get it done." 

Hinkley said ruckman Scott Lycett (knee) will be available to take on the Tigers on Saturday.