Ken Hinkley says his players have the courage to tear up this year’s finals series

KEN Hinkley says his men have the “courage” to tear it up in September having shattered the Western Bulldogs’ title defence at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

Robbie Gray celebrates a Port Adelaide goal. Picture: Getty Images

KEN Hinkley says his men have the “courage” to tear it up in September having shattered the Western Bulldogs’ title defence at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

Hinkley noted Port Adelaide had responded to the savaging handed out by Adelaide in Showdown 43 to take down the Bulldogs in its most physically charged outing of the season.

Skipper Robert Murphy’s retirement always meant the Dogs would leave nothing in the tank.

“We want to go in to finals with winning form, play strong hot footy knowing it will be a step up again. It was great practice,” said Hinkley.

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“We have been knocked around a bit since the Showdown and don’t think people gave us too much (finals hope) after that poor performance which we owned.

“They (the Bulldogs) were playing for the season.

“I certainly made our guys aware of the emotional stuff they would be talking and thinking about.

Port Adelaide players celebrate a vital goal. Picture: Getty Images

“We had plenty to play for as well. It was really strong, hunt, turnover style game I was really pleased with.”

Hinkley is confident Chad Wingard will recover from a tight calf and is hopeful of having defender Tom Jonas available for Port’s first final after an impact hit on Bulldogs star Luke Dahlhaus.

“Knowing Tom’s history it would have been fair enough type of play, blocking as a defender you do bodycheck all the time,” said Hinkley.

Port has been criticised for not toppling top eight sides but has been impressive on the road winning at the Gabba, in China, Perth and Victoria.

“We have put together a pretty solid season, won games in Shanghai and Ballarat, Brisbane and Melbourne and that’s what good sides do, win games away from your home ground,” said Hinkley.

Skipper Travis Boak led from the front with 32 touches, 11 contested, and a goal while Charlie Dixon’s four goals got Port across the line.

Brad Ebert shut down Dogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli early while Paddy Ryder excelled in ruck.

“Charlie has been amazing for us all year. It is not all about goals, it never has been. He has kicked 42 and what he creates for others is really important,” said Hinkley of Dixon.

It was fitting that the first match for premiership points at Ballarat — the setting for Australia’s famous Eureka Stockade uprising — ended with casualties piling up.

Charlie Dixon was a standout for Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Hinkley watched Dan Houston play through a dislocated shoulder, while Sam Powell-Pepper, Riley Bonner, debutant Todd Marshall all stood up in a gripping 17-point win. Sam Gray soldiered through a corked thigh.

“We haven’t been lacking in courage,” Hinkley said.

“We had six blokes out there with less than 20 games, first and second games and they haven’t let us down.”

Match report, Pages 38-39

Originally published as Ken Hinkley says his players have the courage to tear up this year’s finals series