Errant kicking, extra accidents and a few poorly-timed administration have plunged Port Adelaide right into a determined bid to salvage their AFL season.
But a wry-smiling Ken Hinkley is adamant all can be okay after a 48-point loss to Brisbane arrange a knockout semi-final in Adelaide towards the plucky GWS subsequent week.
The Power threatened a boilover on the Gabba on Saturday night time once they rallied to guide within the second quarter after which once more closed to inside 10 factors early within the third time period.
But Brisbane, now unbeaten in 12 video games on the venue this season, flicked the change to surge clear for a 19.9 (123) to 11.9 (75) victory that earns them per week off earlier than a preliminary last on the Gabba in a fortnight.
Headaches for Hinkley embrace an ankle harm to Trent McKenzie – the defender had come into the aspect for the injured Tom Jonas – and Dylan Williams (hamstring).
Both are uncertain to face the Giants at Adelaide Oval whereas hulking ahead Charlie Dixon (foot) is not assured to return after lacking the Lions conflict.
The Power additionally let a number of early possibilities slip, the often dependable Todd Marshall twice miskicking set pictures from close-range that sprayed so badly they stayed in play.
Williams limped off “45 seconds after the paperwork was lodged” for Travis Boak to interchange Darcy Byrne-Jones in a tactical substitution, leaving Hinkley with two injured males on the bench alongside a wholesome one which could not return.
“We were lucky on Thursday (when McKenzie was cleared to replace Jones) and we’re back to unlucky on Saturday night,” Hinkley stated.
“We’ll have to make-do with what we have available and I’m optimistic that that’s still strong enough and good enough.
“We performed properly sufficient and hit the lead towards a workforce that hasn’t misplaced on this floor.
“We’ll be okay, we’ll be nice.
“We earnt the chance to play once more (by ending within the prime 4); I’d favor to not use it however we now get to and we’ll be able to go.”
Port beat the Giants by 51 points in Adelaide a month ago, Hinkley sarcastically looking to the positives after their dominant 2020 and 2021 campaigns were both killed off in preliminary final losses that followed successful qualifying finals.
“It did not work so possibly that is the proper manner for us,” he stated.
“We had no alternative, however we’re going that manner. We’ll give it a mighty crack and anticipate to play properly and win.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
