Backman Tom Jonas says Port Adelaide is working harder than ever as it reaches the end of its 2015 pre-season.

Senior coach Ken Hinkley enacted a three-year plan when he arrived at Alberton at the end of 2012 and Jonas says the players are pushing their personal limits in the final year of Hinkley’s strategy.

They want to maintain a running advantage over the competition and as the season draws closer, the coaches are raising their expectations.

“The leadership group and Kenny and Burgo have been really good at keeping us on our toes…and making sure everyone is keen to keep working hard and improve on last year,” Jonas said.

After the disappointing end to 2014 where the Power were eliminated by Hawthorn in the preliminary final, Jonas says all players want the chance to redeem themselves this season.

“Obviously we weren’t satisfied with where we finished and we want to put ourselves in the same position to get that opportunity [a finals berth] again.”

The preliminary final loss last year gave the players plenty to reflect on, according to Jonas, but the defender says the playing group has returned refreshed and ready to get stuck back in to a new season.

“There were a lot of things that happened in the game that could have been done slightly better and a lot of things that could have gone either way,” Jonas said of the prelim loss.

“You get so close, you almost [have to] get away from the game for a little while.”

Although it’s every team’s goal is to reach the finals, Jonas says the Power’s sole focus is on putting the right things in place during pre-season to attack Round 1 in April.

“We’re not focussing on the end of the season, for us, it’s about doing the work now, getting the miles under our belt and getting ourselves into the position to get the opportunity to go to that spot again.”

Despite fellow defender Jackson Trengove’s shoulder injury and a few other minor injury setbacks, the Power continues to push forward every day.

Trengove is still recovering from surgery following a training injury, but is expected to be back on the field soon.

With players like Paul Stewart, Cam O’Shea and young gun Tom Clurey all performing well, Jonas says the team won’t have any shortage of defenders while Trengove recovers.