Port must embrace the pressure and aim for September action

IT is time for the Power to say the F word. Let's see how Ken Hinkley's playing group handles the pressure.

Port Adelaide players celebrate an upset win over the Sydney Swans at AAMI Stadium.

IT is time for the Power to say the F word.

While it is understandable coach Ken Hinkley is reluctant to talk about September to his team, it is time to increase the demands on his playing group and see how they handle pressure to perform.

Finals are possible for the Power in 2013.

A win today brings that dream a step closer to reality.

Hinkley's initial reign at Alberton has been centred around a week-by-week assessment of the men at his disposal and taking small steps rather than giant strides.

A berth in the 2013 finals would be a quantum leap for this team after several years of frustration and underperforming, but reality is, it is there for the taking.

No longer can Hinkley or the players of the Port Adelaide Football Club hide from the fact they are in the box seat to take eighth spot.

With doubt surrounding Essendon's place in September and Collingwood's tough run over the last six weeks of the season, finishing in sixth and earning a home final in the first week is also not out of the question.

The time to dream of finals is over. It's time to set a plan.

Today's clash against Brisbane at AAMI Stadium is the perfect place to start and a chance for the Power to end another finals contender's campaign.

The Lions come to town knowing they have no margin for error, with seven wins and a horrendous percentage losing is not an option for Michael Voss's team.

In season best form and with games against St Kilda, Richmond, the GWS Giants, the Bulldogs and Geelong to come in the final round, Brisbane have included Jonathan Brown and Brent Moloney in a desperate bid for success.

It is win at any cost for the Lions. It is not the same scenario for the Power and their season will remain alive win, lose or draw.

Their test is to beat a team they simply must defeat to maintain belief and send a warning to the rest of the competition that they are a team to be feared.

But, things must improve.

Stats show the Power's defence is on the right track and comparable to the top three teams in the competition, it is their attack that must perform better.

Jay Schulz, John Butcher, Justin Westhoff, Angus Monfries and Robbie Gray form as good a forward group as you could wish for and with Hamish Hartlett, Chad Wingard and skipper Travis Boak to run through there, kicking 15- 20 goals on a regular basis is not out of the question.

Increasing their efficiency at the pointy end of the season is the challenge for this group.

Schulz has been a star all season, shouldering much of the burden key forwards deal with, but he must find another goal per game. Butcher must keep improving and get value for every touch. "The Future" managed just 11 goals in 2012 and with just seven in five games this year it is time to make his presence felt more often.

Westhoff's game is on the brink of elite class and with more than 100 games under his belt his time is now. The 26-year-old has 22 goals this year and must target 40 plus and continue to be the man for a crisis.

Wingard is evolving into an elite midfielder but hitting the scoreboard is his immediate charter.

The star teenager has kicked 29 goals in his 16 games this season and a 50 goal year is not out of the question.

Monfries is chasing a similar total. He's the one that could sneak under the radar of opposition coaches.

Then there's the magic of Gray. Enough said.

Finding an extra three goals a game will make a massive difference to Ken Hinkley's team.

Reality is here and finals football is there for the taking.

Hitting the scoreboard a little more often is the key.