KEN HINKLEY labels his team's next opponent, Sydney, as the model of consistency in AFL football. This theme challenges Port Adelaide after finding scintillating form against then-league leader Hawthorn in the Gather Round closer.
Can Port Adelaide replicate?
"We would like to think so; we would like to hope so," said Hinkley at Alberton on Wednesday in the build up to the preliminary final rematch with Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.
"We were dynamic for two-and-a-half quarters (against Hawthorn) ... it is bloody hard at this level to bring that level of consistency to your performance. But we set out every week to do that.
"People will ask, 'Why don't they do that every week?' We aim for that every week. The opposition have a say in that. But our intent every week is to be that.
"We were building from the St Kilda game. We did not get the result but we felt we were building and we have continued to build. And if we are going to win this week we will have to continue to build.
"Confidence creates energy that creates excitement."
RIOLI RETURNS: After a time-out on Tuesday - to refocus from the racial taunts from social media trolling - specialist forward Willie Rioli returned to training at Alberton Oval on Wednesday morning. He will be available for the clash with Sydney.
"He took a little bit of time to deal with what he is dealing with, but he will be okay and he will be available to play on Sunday," Hinkley said of Rioli while describing the racism directed at his match-winning forward as a "disgrace".
"Willie is a brave young person. He knows his team is supportive of him - and he is grateful for that support, which he deserves.
"This does not just happen against Hawthorn. This happens to Willie Rioli more than any other person I have been involved with.
"He is a remarkable person. Not too many people would be able to cope. And I just love him. I love the way he is the person he is and the smile he brings to our football club. It is not a nice day when you know he is not smiling."
SELECTION SQUEEZE: Half-forward Darcy Byrne-Jones is to return from suspension. Defender Miles Bergman is expected to clear any questions from the knee knock he suffered at Adelaide Oval on Sunday night. "Darcy will be available, clearly ... and Darcy deserves his spot in the team," Hinkley said. "We will find a way for Darcy to come into the team.
"Miles will be okay. The scan was okay. It was a bursa issue that causes some fluid (in the knee). There is no long-term issue. We are optimistic ... but we will wait until very close the game to make that call."
CAPTAIN CALL: Do not have in ink that captain Connor Rozee is a half-back now.
"He will play there when we need him," Hinkley said. "Whenever that is ... which could be this week, next week, maybe the week after. I also remember he kicked five goals in his third game of AFL, so I might play him at full forward.
"It is great to have your captain accept what is best for the team. I loved his comment that it allowed him to be a better captain from behind the ball."
GAME PLAN: Hinkley says the kick-to-handball count did not change against Hawthorn. But the eye did reveal smarter use of handball.
"We just chose better moments; we did not squeeze too many out under pressure," Hinkley said. "And the game we needed to play against Hawthorn demanded we play slightly different.
"I don't think it was a super adjustment. But there were some small adjustments."
THAT FINAL: Port Adelaide returns to the SCG where season 2024 ended with the preliminary final loss to Sydney.
"The last time you played doesn't really matter," Hinkley said. "Every week is so different. Sydney is quite a different side with what they have available this week and we are a different side to what we had last time.
"I would imagine there are six to seven changes to both teams from last time."
OPPO WATCH: Sydney is at the start of a new chapter, five games into the guidance of senior mentor Dean Cox. It has a 2-3 win-loss record, the same as Port Adelaide.
"The great thing about Sydney is they play Sydney style of football - and yes, there has been a change of coach but Dean worked really closely with John (Longmire) for a long period of time," Hinkley said. "I don't think Sydney change too much. Their culture, their values and they play football around those things. They are one of the clubs we respect and admire the most because of their consistency. It is in the way they do things. I don't expect too much to change in the way they play."
Port Adelaide has won three of its past four games at the SCG.
