Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Power building after dispatching Western Bulldogs

PORT Adelaide is starting to find its groove after another impressive Adelaide Oval win. But Ken Hinkley says he’s unsure how far his team can go as it prepares for another big test.

After an emotional first game back after the death of his father Todd Marshall walks down the race to gather himself before walking off with his team. Picture SARAH REED

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was proud of his Power players in finding their best form — and putting up their biggest score of the year (20.12) in the 57-point win against the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

And Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was proud of his players for standing firm — after a disastrous first quarter — while carrying a “nightmarish” injury list.

Port Adelaide advanced to 8-4 — to be a contender for a top-four finish — with the Power showing more consistency and more attacking power as a pointer to its untapped potential this season.

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“It was pretty good over the course of the whole night,” Hinkley said. “Second quarter the Bulldogs got a little bit of a go along.

“But we were pretty dominant in some key stats that I have to look at, so it was a pretty pleasing result.”

Ken Hinkley‘s team controlled much of the night. Pic: AAP

Port Adelaide’s highest score of the year was delivered when least expected as Hinkley had prepared his team for a slog in the forecast rain and gale that came over Adelaide Oval before the game — and not during.

“I built the ark — and I’m lucky I don’t need to sleep in it tonight,” Hinkley said.

“Obviously, 20.12 is very pleasing.

“Maybe we gave up one or two that we’d prefer not to.”

Hinkley still is not prepared to forecast just how far his restocked midfield can carry Port Adelaide this season.

“Who knows … I’m not sure,” Hinkley said with an eight-day lead-up to a facing fellow top-four contender Melbourne at Adelaide Oval in a Friday night football extravaganza.

“I think we are still building. We’re still trying to figure it out. There is still a bit of new in our team — and we’re working our way through that. Even (defender) Jack Hombsch is new again because he has missed a fair bit of footy in the last 12 months.

“So we’re certainly still trying to figure it out.”

Paddy Ryder talks with an injured Tom Boyd after the match. Picture SARAH REED

The Bulldogs finished with a horrible injury count — premiership captain Easton Wood with his second hamstring injury of the season, this time on the other leg rather than the muscle he strained against Brisbane; midfielder Jack Macrae with a hamstring concern he felt in the second term; utility Lukas Webb with a broken thumb that requires surgery; Tom Boyd with a compounded dislocated finger; Toby McLean with a shoulder injury and Marcus Bontempelli with a hyperextended knee.

“The players kept hanging in there — and I could not be prouder of them,” Beveridge said. “That was a nightmarish night — it took a toll on the players, but they fought it out and I’m proud of them.”

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