YARTAPUULTI has not won a last quarter of 10 this season - and at least breaking even with Walyalup is the non-negotiable demand at Perth Stadium in the second leg of Sir Doug Nicholls Round on Saturday night.
"The results," says Yartapuulti senior coach Ken Hinkley, "say we need to be very sharp with what we are doing. Our last quarters are a great spot for us to start.
"If we think about what has happened to us (with three heavy defeats this season) we need to make sure our last quarters are much more stronger. We have to be at least at break-even, that would take care of blow-out results (such as last weekend's six-goal blitz from Geelong in the last term)."
There is a clear image of what is expected from Yartapuulti on Saturday night in Perth.
"We have clarity on what we need to do - on what we need to be sharp on," Hinkley said at Alberton on Wednesday morning. "Now we have to back that up with performance more consistently than we have done this year.
"We have to bring great energy. And we have to bring it for four quarters, not two or two-and-a-half quarters. We have to bring it for four quarters and we have proven over a good period of time that we can do that.
"This year we have not done it as well as we should.
"At 4-6 we are not a disaster. But our three (big) losses makes everyone jump on 'we are a disaster' ... that is not completely accurate at all."
SELECTION WATCH: It is a true test of depth at Alberton this week in the fall-out of a lengthened injury list after the heavy hits from the loss to Geelong that includes midfielder Jason Horne-Francis (hamstring).
The silver lining is the experience Hinkley and his match committee can call up from SANFL ranks, in particular former captain Travis Boak who has been managing a back complaint.
"We do need to look at what we do or do not bring into the team," Hinkley said. "It is not a challenge we have not faced before."
Whether there is a shake up at selection to deal with form or a change up to counter Walyalup's strengths is very much dictated by the depth test.
"We certainly have to change (the side) and some of that is out of our control (by injuries limiting options)," Hinkley said. "The good thing is we can bring into the side some good experience in a moment when you need experience.
"Boak, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Rory Atkins who have a lot of football experience can come in and be really strong players for us. And very good players. That gives us opportunity.
"Brandon has three games behind him (after a long lay-off with a back injury). He is in a position where he is certainly available for us. We are confident he can play at the level.
"There also are young players - Berry, Lorenz, Jackson - who can come in to help us improve our performances."
CLEAR FOCUS: Yartapuulti's erratic form line has prompted the need for a strong focus on all aspects of the game at Alberton - and a clearer picture on how to end the extremes in results.
"We like to create clarity as coaches," Hinkley said. "We get that right and the players can then execute with as much clarity as they possibly can. This week's review (of the Geelong loss) gave us clarity as coaches on Monday. We are really certain on how we need to play. Now we have to execute at that level. And in AFL football if you do not execute at a really high level you get beaten badly."
THE LOSSES: There are now three big defeats - to Collingwood by 91 points, to the Western Bulldogs by 90 points and now one at home at Adelaide Oval with the 76-point loss to Geelong.
"We have had three really poor performances - and some great results," said Hinkley accepting there is a fair question to ask on Yartapuulti's erratic form line.
"Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and now Geelong ... all potentially top-four teams and, at the moment, we have not played like anything near a top-four team.
"We have not responded (in those games) and held up well enough. And that is not just because of injuries."
TURNOVER COUNT: Every analyst is noting Yartapuulti has a high error count with turnovers this season
"The scores conceded on turnover ... that is a phase of our game we have worked really hard on," Hinkley said. "The opposition has been able to take the ball back off us. And it has been more for our defensive actions than on offence.
"So tighten up on what you know is really incredibly important to success in AFL - get your defensive actions right. We make that our starting point."
OPPO WATCH: "We know they are talented, really polished and certainly a real challenge in Perth. We look forward to that challenge.
"Both sides are in a position where they would love nothing more than four points."
SUCCESSION PLAN: Losses have, as expected, brought into question whether the succession to coach-in-waiting Josh Carr is an issue behind the results.
"We have nothing other than Fremantle on our minds," Hinkley said. "We started the year with the intent to be the best Port Adelaide we could be. At the moment we have been an inconsistent Port Adelaide. Nothing else has changed.
“We expect to get better. And we will not be distracted."
The match begins at 7.40pm SA time.
