PORT Adelaide defender Hamish Hartlett is expecting the Western Bulldogs to lift for retiring skipper Bob Murphy ahead of their finals-defining encounter in Ballarat on Saturday.
Bulldogs champion Murphy announced on Tuesday he would hang his boots up at the end of the season after 310 games for the club.
Murphy infamously missed last year's historic premiership victory recovering from a torn ACL and the Bulldogs – who currently sit ninth on the ladder – will be desperate to ensure he gets the chance for a fairytale finish to his sensational career.
"You wonder if the announcement of his retirement is motivation for them to do so," Hartlett told AFL.com.au
"Clearly they're in a position where they need to win their last couple of games to book their place in September.
"From an outsiders' point of view, you can tell the players just love playing for him.
"They will be doing everything they possibly can to make sure he goes out on the highest note possible."
The Bulldogs can't afford any more slip-ups after last weekend's 48-point loss to Greater Western Sydney.
The Power also have to plenty to play for, sitting sixth on the ladder on 48 premiership points, just a win and percentage ahead of the Bulldogs.
The game will be the first for premiership points in Ballarat, with the Bulldogs moving the fixture from their regular home of Etihad Stadium.
The Bulldogs excel on the quick deck of the Docklands venue, while the Power have only played there once this season – a 70-point flogging at the hands of Essendon.
"Not having played too much footy at Etihad at the past couple of years, it probably works slightly in our favour to have that neutral venue," Hartlett said.
"(Mars Stadium in Ballarat) is a big deck, which helps with the way we move the ball.
"With those wider grounds, there's a bit more space to move the ball and we think defensively the way we play probably helps as well."
The Power are an outside chance of sneaking into the top four and have all but guaranteed themselves of playing in the finals for the first time since 2014.
"From my point of view personally, it's been the most enjoyable year of footy for the last three or four years," Hartlett said.
"Just the positivity of the place for the whole year has been outstanding and seems to be a lot more of a relaxed and calm feel around the place, which has been great for everyone - coaches and players.
"Our footy has been at a pretty reasonable level for most of the year, too.
"If we can finish off the season well, that'd be a real positive for us."
