PORT Adelaide coach Matthew Primus says the club must invest heavily in its football department to avoid slipping further behind the bigger-spending teams in the competition on and off the field.
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The Power have launched the next step of their debt reduction campaign, calling on supporters to make a one-off donation towards eliminating a core debt of $3 million.
This follows the success of a fundraising drive aimed at local companies and prominent businesspeople last month, which generated over $1 million for the club.
Port Adelaide ranked last in the competition for football department expenditure in 2010, and at the moment that figure is reflected in the club's last-placed ladder positioning.
The Power spent some $4 million less than league leaders Collingwood last season and there are fears that number could double over the next two years if the club is limited to the same resources.
Primus is already operating with one less full-time assistant coach than most other clubs in the competition, with part-time assistant coach Dean Laidley sharing the midfield duties with promoted data analyst Ryan McMillan.
Primus said donations from the Port Adelaide faithful would be used to bolster the club's coaching, development and medical/fitness staff.
"With the stage we're at now, we really do need to invest in our football department," Primus said on Tuesday.
"We're playing catch-up along with a lot of other clubs, trying to make sure we can do what we can to make our players the best players, and to be able to look them in the eye and actually say, 'Yes, we're giving you the best chance to be the best players you can be in the best football club'.
"We know we need to spend more in a lot of areas, but we can't do it all straight away. We are not looking to be the best-spending team...just middle of the table."
Another priority for the club is freeing up enough money to be able to pay 100 per cent, or close to 100 per cent, of the salary cap before free agency comes into effect at the end of next season.
The Power, who have recorded only one win this season, are in the midst of a rebuilding phase.
Primus has been unwavering in his commitment to promote youth, despite the insatiable demand from the football word for immediate success.
The former Port Adelaide captain said it was reasonable to suggest the club could "fast-track" the development of its next generation of stars with better resources.
"We've got some outstanding players here and we know what path we're heading down," he said.
"Things are bleak at the moment, but every club goes through and has been through that. You come out of it in the end a lot better for having been through it."
Port Adelaide will attempt to secure an elusive second win against Richmond at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday night.
Forward Brett Ebert will be considered after being left out of the team for tactical reasons against Fremantle last weekend, while Cam Hitchcock starred for Glenelg and could also be recalled.
Midfielder/defender Paul Stewart won't be available for selection again this season after having surgery on his shoulder.
Skipper Dom Cassisi (tibial fracture) ran laps at training on Tuesday and could be available to play against Carlton next week.
Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
