The Seagulls leader made the honest evaluation after their 13.17 (95) to 9.8 (63) loss to Portland at Gardens Oval on Saturday.

Imbi said the team would work as a collective to overcome the issue. He said he couldn't question his players' commitment in their first two matches.

"We are definitely paying the price for our physical preparation during the pre-season or lack of and we're paying structurally," Imbi told The Standard.

"The connection, chemistry and structures we can work on that now the boys are training and we expect to get better in those areas."

Imbi said there were reasons, including travel and indecision about whether certain players were going to play this season, for the pre-season concerns.

"Physical preparation is a player's own responsibility," he said.

"It's a collective decision too, in terms of turning up to pre-season.

"With the game on the line (against the Tigers), it would've been great if we just had the legs to operate.

"It is something we can't control now the season has hit. I made it clear to the boys, we're not going to flog them at training, we're going to keep educating them.

"We have to get better as coaches in terms of making it clear what we want from our players.

"We'd like to think, and I am fast forwarding to 2022, that there will be things our players will take more ownership of and one will be physical preparation."

Imbi said the Seagulls were now getting strong turnouts at training and the coaching staff "believe we have a committed group".

"Ultimately this is the coaching challenge. The coaches are invested and we believe the players are as well," he said.

Imbi said there were some encouraging signs against Portland.

"Our forwards were better today. For example, in the second quarter, we only went in five times but we operated at 80 per cent scoring efficiency which is terrific," he said.

"They are responsive. (Assistant coach) Shane Threlfall and myself can't question the boys' effort, that is not dropping off."

The non-playing mentor praised Portland for making it difficult for his side.

"They played with real intent, they were structurally good, their players executed well and they hurt us on our turnovers," Imbi said.

Portland coach Jarrod Holt was rapt with the Tigers' competitive spirit. Ben Malcolm was "dominant" in the ruck and Toby Jennings "excellent" in the midfield.

"Davey Denboer down back has found his groove and Kyle Richardson up forward spent time playing on Shane Savage, making sure he didn't get too much of the ball, and he kicked three goals himself," Holt said.

"All those little roles were important and contributed to the win."

Tiger Harrison Hampshire (hand) and Seagull Lochie Gunning (quad) were injured.

Port Fairy wore new guernseys, featuring a high gold V, against Portland.

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