PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has rated his side’s second-term blitz of Richmond at Adelaide Oval on Friday as the best it has played in 2016.
The Power kicked seven unanswered goals at the start of the quarter to turn a one goal quarter-time deficit into a 23-point half-time lead.
They eventually ran out 38-point winners to improve their record to 7-7 and keep their flickering finals hopes alive.
Port’s makeshift ruckman Jackson Trengove helped inspire the onslaught, and midfielders Matthew Broadbent and Brett Ebert drove the Power forward.
But Hinkley believed the run was started by a Robbie Gray tackle in the middle of the ground.
“It probably as good a quarter as we’ve played (in 2016), considering the conditions,’’ the coach said.
“It started with Robbie Gray’s tackle I reckon. There was a tackle in the middle of the ground which was significant.
‘Robbie gets a lot of credit for his outside stuff. It was that tackle on the inside that got us going.
“Our tackling shows our intent and when our intent is high, we usually play pretty well.”
There were plenty of positives in the clash for Port. Promoted rookie Kane Mitchell contributed strongly and was rewarded with a goal in the final term that was wildly celebrated by his teammates.
Captain Travis Boak was best afield, and Port’s back six looked solid despite losing defender Jack Hombsch pre-match.
But Port’s win will prove little to the sceptics, who can point to its 0-5 record against top eight teams.
Despite this, Hinkley does not believe a win over Hawthorn next Thursday night at Adelaide Oval will be mandatory for its credibility.
“It doesn’t worry me whether they’re top eight clubs or not because I think the competition is so even,’’ he said.
“It would be a bonus to give yourself some confirmation but we know we can play against good sides.
“We played the Bulldogs here and we lost by a few points. You don’t have to win to know you can beat top eight sides.”
Hinkley praised Mitchell for his perseverance. The 26-year-old had 24 possessions against Richmond in his first match for the season. The coach also sung the praises of young halfback Darcy Byrne-Jones, who continued to grow in stature.
“He (Mitchell) brings energy to the footy team and he wants to play,’’ Hinkley said.
“I probably made it as hard as I could for him to get an opportunity, but he just consistently turned up … he works hard at his game.
“You think about all the hype that goes on with the Rising Star (award), no one’s played better footy than (Byrne-Jones). I’ve watched a lot of footy and I might be a touch biased … he’s almost in the first five (selected) in our team.
Hinkley all but ruled Hombsch, who has a strained quad, out of the clash against Hawthorn.
Port Adelaide will play Hawthorn at 7.20pm on Thursday 7 July at the Adelaide Oval.
