HOW does any team follow up a 112-point thrashing of the league leader? By looking at the congested AFL premiership table knowing there is no room for any error in Saturday's away clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
More so when the opponent is on the edge - and has recent good form against Port Adelaide.
"We only have to look at the ladder," Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley said of the challenge to avoid complacency after the Sydney win.
Port Adelaide is third (13-7) on that complex ladder - one win from top spot and possibly one loss from tumbling out of the top eight.
"To worry about complacency - it would be foolish to think that is on our minds," added Hinkley.
"We go into every game knowing your best is required.
"Complacency does not get into AFL players' heads. It is such a tough competition that they do not get fooled by one result."
TODD'S BACK: Todd Marshall returns to the Port Adelaide forward mix after a short stint on the injury list - and Hinkley never had any thought of playing his tall forward in SANFL ranks this weekend.
Marshall joins the match 23 that has just one change - the forced exit by injury of fellow forward Mitch Georgiades.
"We have a player of real quality coming in," Hinkley said of Marshall.
"We hope Todd comes in to find his best form after a few weeks out. That would make us even happier if we could have Todd in really good form.
"Todd's form has been a little up and down. His performance has not been at the level he would like. But he also plays a very valuable role for us. It is easy to look at key forwards and just look at the goals they kick ... the reality is you have to look at more than that. I've said that of Charlie Dixon and I will say it of Todd. They bring more to the team than just goals."
NO KING GEORGE: Crowned as the new king of the Port Adelaide attack - a year after being sidelined with a knee injury - Mitch Georgiades will be on the injury list for possibly two weeks with a quad strain suffered at training on Wednesday.
"It is nothing too serious," Hinkley said. "But it is enough to keep him out for this week and possibly next (with the Showdown).
"Mitch has been in good form and kicked a lot of goals, so it is a big blow for us. But we are lucky we have Todd coming back into the side."
And Esava Ratugolea will remain in the Port Adelaide attack.
"But we know he can play back as well...," said Hinkley.
"It is pretty clear that in the past couple of weeks Esava has been good for us in attack."
OPPO WATCH: Melbourne is still believing it is in the race to September while sitting in 12th spot with 10 wins and a sub-100 percentage (97.9).
Port Adelaide has a 23-17 win-loss record - but just one win from the past five matches - against the game's oldest club.
The last encounter between the clubs at the MCG dates to the pre-pandemic season on March 23, 2019 when Port Adelaide won by 26 points.
"We expect Melbourne at their best," Hinkley said. "Melbourne at the MCG is not going to be easy."
SWEET TASK: Melbourne captain and lead ruckman Max Gawn has been a major obstacle in Port Adelaide matches. This challenge has inspired team tactics to support the Port Adelaide rucks.
This time it is Jordon Sweet who will test himself against the All-Australian ruckman.
"Those (tactics on Gawn) are overplayed," Hinkley said. "Max is a very good player, but Jordon is in very good form. It will be a great challenge for Jordon on his own to take on Max head-to-head and see what his progress has been like this year."
MCG: Port Adelaide returns to the MCG for the last time before finals with Hinkley confident his group already has enough understanding of the wide ground - and that his playbook stands up on the G.
"Any opportunity for a (non-Victorian) team at the MCG - when you don't get to play there often - is good," Hinkley said. "This is our third this year. We are comfortable to play anywhere. It does not worry us.
"We have been there enough. We know enough about the MCG. We have to learn to play anywhere, anytime. That is pretty much what we have done. We have travelled pretty well.
"It is another opportunity to travel and win - and that is what makes a season: the more away wins you can get is really important."
THE FINALE: Port Adelaide was handed the final timeslot to the home-and-away series - Sunday twilight, in Perth against Fremantle on August 25.
Hinkley is unsure if having the last game works to his team's favour, particularly for knowing what might be required to command a key placing on the final ladder.
"I don't know; we play when we are told to play," Hinkley said. "And we are happy to play."
Port Adelaide travelled to Melbourne on Friday morning with a 25-man squad.
