PORT Adelaide believes its best football makes it a finals threat, but skipper Travis Boak admits losing close games makes qualifying for the top eight difficult.

The Power lost their third nail biter in five weeks on Saturday, falling three points short of the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval.

Along with a two-point loss to Carlton in round eight and an eight-point loss to West Coast in round nine, Port's three most recent defeats have been by a combined margin of just 13 points.

Boak's side was sensational at times on Saturday as it took another step in the right direction.

With a host of talented players expected back in the second half of the season – including Matthew Lobbe, Tom Jonas, Jack Hombsch, Matthew White and Alipate Carlile – the Power could turn top-eight aggressor in the run home if their current form holds up.

The captain told AFL.com.au the Power was in top-eight form but also warned they couldn't afford to keep losing close games.

"The footy we've been playing over the last month has been really pleasing but we still want to win games," Boak said.

"If we continue to keep playing the footy we are and keep taking steps forward then we're going to be around the mark.

"But we've jut got to make sure that we don't take our foot off the pedal now.

"The last month has been pleasing but we've got to continue winning games; we can't lose close ones like this otherwise we fall too far behind."

Boak heaped praise on club man mountain Charlie Dixon, who was a force in attack against the Bulldogs.

Dixon kicked two goals and only took three marks, but he threatened to take several more massive contested marks and brought the ball to ground in almost every contest.

Boak said that with such a weapon up forward the Power's midfield had to stop messing around with the ball around stoppages.

"That's where we've got to get it right sometimes and get it deep instead of handballing it too much round stoppages – get it into Charlie because he does provide that presence," he said.

"Our small forwards love it when he brings the ball to ground.

"He was so close from plucking about five or six grabs … it's fantastic having him in the side."