PORT ADELAIDE midfielder Brad Ebert has identified improving his side’s defensive efforts as key to continuing its winning run on Saturday against St Kilda.

The Power has won four matches in a row and six of its last seven but has been less than convincing against Melbourne and Carlton in the last two weeks.

Ebert said it was important to get a full four-quarter effort against the Saints.

“We’re always tinkering with different things to make sure that we’re maximising our performance,” he told Adelaide radio station Triple M.

“When you’ve won six out of seven it shows you’re building that consistent block and the one we lost was by three points.

“So we’re showing that we can play some decent footy but we’ve got to just make sure we string that together for a whole four-quarter match.”

An honest Ebert revealed a review of the win over Carlton last week identified some defensive failings, including the Power giving the Blues too much time with the ball.

“We probably didn’t play the best football, and against Melbourne there were patches where we were just hanging on, but to our credit we’ve been able to do that and then put our foot down and get the win,” he said.

“We reviewed a few edits when we weren’t quite strong enough defensively and allowed a little bit too much space for Carlton which then allowed them to stay in the match.

“From there, we’ve got to make sure we tighten up on those defensive areas and then we can really take the game on once we get into offence.”

The Saints have won their past two matches, having gone eleven games without a win before that.

But Ebert said guided by former Port Adelaide assistant coach Alan Richardson, he always expected the Saints to improve.

“They’ve been around the mark for the last few weeks, St Kilda and they’ve been really strong,” he said.

“They’re starting to play that kind of footy that they’ve been known for in the last few years of being tough around the contest and run and carry and that sort of stuff.

“Richo, we had him at Port Adelaide for a year there so we know how he goes about things.

“He’s a real smooth calm operator and I know he wouldn’t have been too stressed about where they’re at and I know then the Saints are coming out the other end, so we’ve got to be on our game because when they beat a team like Melbourne it shows that they’re back to playing some good footy.”

Ebert said defenders Tom Jonas and Darcy Byrne-Jones would come into consideration for selection.

The team will be released this evening.

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