Chad Wingard says staying ‘in the moment’ is crucial as Port Adelaide eyes top-two finish.

WHY Chad Wingard says going his own road, ignoring critics and staying ‘in the moment’ is the secret to success for Port Adelaide.

Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard marks against Carlton at the MCG.

CHAD Wingard says going his own road, ignoring critics and staying ‘in the moment’ is the secret to success as Port Adelaide confronts a month that will decide a top-two finish.

And, Wingard believes Port’s plethora of midfield options is emerging as Ken Hinkley’s trump card this campaign.

Rising from the heat of a disappointing round 11 loss to Hawthorn in Launceston Wingard has been integral to (10-4) Port’s four-game winning streak. A club record eight-match winning sequence is on offer by toppling St Kilda, Fremantle in Perth, GWS and Western Bulldogs at Ballarat.

“I just went back to focusing on how I could help and I think that is how it has turned it around for me,” said Wingard, who won 11 contested possessions and booted two goals in Port’s 21-point victory against Carlton on Saturday at the MCG.

“You just have to concentrate on what you are doing.”

Chad Wingard of the Power in action during the Power’s win against Carlton.

Power legend and The Advertiser columnist Warren Tredrea last month implored Wingard to graduate from ‘enigma’ to ‘great’ following an indifferent form patch.

Wingard, 24, has carried enormous expectation since earning All Australian and club champion status in 2013 with 43 goals then booting 53 in 2015. Wingard’s goal tally dipped to 38 and 24 across 2016-17.

Wingard says attention from scribes can ‘come and go’ and doesn’t motivate him but the respect of coaches does.

“If you get caught up in what the media say, so called experts, you can really lose yourself and actually become into yourself and not worried about what is going help the team,” said Wingard, with 14 goals and ranked ninth for goal assists (12) in the competition this season.

“You have to keep chipping away. What really matters which is what the coaches think and how you can help your team.

“I don’t think we care about outside pressure, we keep it on the inside and focused on the fundamentals, we know where that can take us, perform in the now, staying in the moment.”

Wingard debuted in 2012 when Port managed five wins and sacked coach Matt Primus which places its current run under Hinkley in perspective.

Port’s best winning streak is eight which it achieved before missing the 2014 grand final by three points against premier Hawthorn.

“Obviously it is nice winning compared to my first year when we won five games. Winning five in a row is pretty unreal,” Wingard told The Advertiser.

“We don’t take it for granted but we are concentrating week by week and I think that has just really helped. We are focused having a red hot crack next week.”

Midfield boss Michael Voss can swing Ollie Wines, Brad Ebert, recruit Tom Rockliff, Sam Powell-Pepper, Robbie Gray, captain Travis Boak, Jared Polec and Wingard through his engine room which will prove invaluable in September.

Steve Motlop’s arrival means provides increased flexibility with Wingard and Gray able to float between forward and midfield.

“To have that versatility to chuck eight blokes through the midfield either on the wing or up forward and our skipper at times is a bit if a weapon for Vossy and Kenny to use,” said Wingard, with Port sweeping centre clearances 15-8 against the Blues.

“It think we are finding that right balance between inside and outside balls and focusing on the strengths of each player. Rocky has come in, brings that leadership as well.”