1. Ken Hinkley has pulled a rabbit or six out of his hat
In some ways, it seemed absurd that Ken Hinkley found himself under a degree of pressure two weeks ago. Eighteen months earlier, Port fans donned T-shirts that read 'Yes, We Ken', in a salute to the man who had transformed the Power from embarrassments to premiership contenders. But dispiriting defeats against GWS and Geelong had led to rumblings of discontent. Hinkley has responded along with his team, pulling a few rabbits out of his hat. Matthew Lobbe's poor form and subsequent injury meant the ruck was Port’s primary concern and Jackson Trengove was given that responsibility on Sunday. The part-timer was near best-on-ground on Sunday and gave Port its most competitive aerial presence around stoppages this season. Jarman Impey was moved forward and Matthew Broadbent is playing higher up the field, while Chad Wingard rolled through the middle on occasions against the Lions. The moves are nothing revolutionary but Port look far more in sync, and Hinkley deserves some credit.
2. Talk of a Lions' revival was premature
As the Brisbane Lions pushed the Sydney Swans to the brink of an upset at the Gabba last week, at least one expert commented that it may have been the 'moment' the Lions believed they could mix it with top-line opposition. On the strength of Sunday's effort against Port Adelaide, the Lions still have a long way to go in order to consistently mix it with good sides. Against the Power, the Lions replicated their effort of the previous week for a quarter, but a hamstring injury to skipper Tom Rockliff sparked with a massive fadeout that saw the visitors outscored 18 goals to three after quarter-time. It's one thing to get up for a home game on a given week; it is another thing entirely to be able to be able to produce that level consistently.
3. Wingard is getting back to the form Port fans expect
The two-time All Australian's form has been among Port’s biggest concerns this season. He had averaged just 12 disposals and 1.5 goals per game coming into Sunday, way down on 2015 (19.1 disposals and 2.4 goals). But a week on the sidelines seems to have done him the world of good as the Wingard of 2015 turned up against the Lions. The Power star had 10 disposals and two goals to half-time, featuring some of his trademark brilliance and flair. You had to be at the ground to appreciate just how good his kick to hit Charlie Dixon in the second term was, with seemingly nothing on offer up the field. He finished with three goals.
4. The Lions would, could, should have a good midfield
With Dayne Beams finally back in action, Lions coach Justin Leppitsch must have felt like he had a midfield capable of mixing it with the competition’s elite – for a quarter and a half. Rockliff's hamstring injury continued a frustrating run of midfield woe that has seemingly stretched on for seasons. On paper, their engine room looks strong: Rockliff, Beams, Daniel Rich, Dayne Zorko, Mitch Robinson, Pearce Hanley and Ryan Bastinac have the skill and grunt to match it with most. But continuity remains a serious issue, and they will have to wait a month or more to find it, with Rockliff set to undergo scans.
5. Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff are starting to fire
At times, Port Adelaide has looked all at sea in the front half this season but the mix appeared right against struggling Brisbane. Charlie Dixon and Justin Westhoff were the key targets, and finished the day with eight goals between them. The pair stayed out of one another's space and seemed more predictable to their teammates, who went forward with purpose. Port also looked more dangerous on the ground, with Aaron Young (three goals) continuing his breakout season, and Wingard back in form. The move of Jarman Impey into attack added pressure and pace, and Jake Neade also played his best match for the season.
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