GARRY Hocking says the Magpies' best is yet to come, despite a 30-point loss to the Adelaide Crows in Port Adelaide's second SANFL trial game a Alberton Oval on Saturday.
While unable to win an SANFL trial match so far in 2015, Hocking is positive and believes his side will turn its fortunes around come the start of the minor round in April.
"We need to prepare for Round 1 and the guys' intensity, their attack on the footy and the structure is getting organised for against South Adelaide," Hocking said.
The Magpies play South in Round 2, with a bye in the opening week of the official season.
"Last year we won every trial game and then we got a surprise in Round 1 against Norwood, so it proved that winning trial games doesn't always count for a lot," Hocking said.
"Even though we've had two loses now, I think that's good and we've still got time to get things organised.
"But come the season we'll definitely be ready to go."
The Magpies were competitive in the first term, enjoying the freedom to create outside run and give the supply its inexperienced forward line, which impressed Hocking after producing some slow starts last year.
But a failure to make full use of its opportunities and too many turnovers only allowed the Magpies a narrow four-point lead at the end of the first term.
It was one the side, a mixture of young AFL-listed players, contracted League and Academy players, couldn't hold.
"We started well, which was something we looked at after last year and something we wanted to get a bit better at," Hocking said.
"We didn't start that well against Norwood in the first trial game, so it was a good opportunity to try and practise it."
Port Adelaide's SANFL side will play a final trial match against the SAAFL's Goodwood Saints at Thebarton Oval, on Thursday 2 April at 7.30pm, with the Academy playing Prince Alfred Old Collegians in a curtain-raiser.
"We are really excited about the match against the Goodwood Saints, it'll give us another chance to practise so we are ready for South Adelaide in round one," Hocking said.