HAVING knocked off Hawthorn last Friday night for the second time this year, it's impossible for Port Adelaide not to look back and think about what might have been.
The Power have shown glimpses of their best this season, particularly over the past fortnight but inconsistent performances have hurt them badly.
While last Friday night's 22-point upset completed a clean sweep of the Hawks this year, Port has also lost to cellar dwellers the Brisbane Lions and Carlton.
Had they won both of those games, the Power would be in finals calculations.
Still, defender Tom Jonas said the club's late spike in form reminded everyone – players included – that last year's preliminary finalists have the talent to challenge next season.
"It was a very pleasing performance [against Hawthorn] but as we were walking off a few of us were saying there was a little bit of sweet and sour… letting opportunities slip this year," Jonas said.
"It's hard not to look back and look at opportunities that we've let slip – there's a few games that we lost by small margins and to teams we'd like to think we would have beaten.
"The last two weeks we've shown our supporters and ourselves, the club, the footy we are capable of … it gives us some hope and reinforcement going into next year.
"We will be back to our best next year and there is definitely hope going forward."
Jonas was dropped after Port's round 14 loss to the Sydney Swans and was forced to spend five weeks in the SANFL.
He said this season had been a tough year personally but added his form reflected that of the rest of the side.
The 24-year-old has been back to his best since returning to the senior team in round 20.
"I'm the sort of player who relies on how the team's going and how people are defending up the ground," he said.
"If we're not firing on all cylinders, I'm not able to play my best footy.
"It's the first time I've been dropped, it's the first time I've been through a really lean patch and I went back to the 'Maggies' and got back to enjoying my footy and doing the fundamental things."
