WITH just three games left of the SANFL minor round, Port Adelaide is a chance of finishing within the top three, as it continues its marches towards September.
The Magpies have chosen the right time to play into form and were able to finally notch up two wins in a row for over a month with their 59-point victory over North on Saturday.
Port made a resounding response to Garry Hocking's plea for consistency a week after slugging out a three-goal win over Central District.
Round 16: Magpies get it done at League, Academy levels
Hocking lauded the second-half hammering which saw his side kick eight goals to the Roosters' three and said it was a result of a full team performance.
He was also pleased with his players' ability to play in non-preferred positions against the Roosters, with injuries to Biemans and Shaw during the game forcing changes.
"I am very happy with the win and I thought we had a pretty even contribution from everyone," Hocking said.
"We had lots of good players right through our team which is a positive at this time of the year, with Kane Mitchell, Summerton, Ah Chee, Monfries up forward and Sawford on ball.
"We lost Biemans, and we lost Shaw as well, so we were down to one on the rotation and we had to manage some players as well, so it was a pretty good effort to win like that.
"Palmer had to play half back, Dougal [Howard] had to go back, Frampton had to play all parts of the ground, so our players didn't really get an opportunity to play too much time in their preferred positions, but it's good to expose them to other areas."
Despite being held by North Adelaide early, the Magpies blew the game apart in the second half, conceding just three goals and holding North Adelaide to an eventual 47 points.
Hocking said team defence had sometimes let the club down this season, but believed it had improved significantly and was confident it would hold up in the coming weeks.
HINKLEY: My worst game at the helm
"I wasn't happy with the first quarter and just didn't think we were in the game, but full credit to them (North Adelaide)," Hocking said.
"We looked a bit panicky early, but then we just settled and it was good to get the win.
"We certainly like to be known as being great defensively and the past four weeks we have given up about 60 points on average and that's been really pleasing.
"At the start of the year, we were giving away too many points, so we have worked hard to try and restrict the opposition from scoring and score well ourselves."
Despite the win pushing the Magpies into the top three, it could be temporary, with West, Port and the Redlegs separated only by percentage.
Port Adelaide needs to notch up one more win to ensure a finals berth.
The Magpies will play Glenelg at the Bay under lights on Friday 14 August at 7.10pm.
"We have finals in the distance, so we have to put our best possible team forward," Hocking said.
"We want to play finals every year, so it's important to get as many wins as you can and get as high up the ladder as you can.
"We just have to keep fighting every week.
"Finals will be great for the club and it will be great for the players to be exposed again on a big stage at Adelaide Oval against some pretty good teams and we have three games to go to get into some really good form."
Meanwhile, Hocking also praised the club's young Academy side which notched up its ninth win of the season under coach Mark Clayton.
The Academy side now sit in second place on the reserves ladder and is looming as a threat come September.
"The story of the year has been the Academy side though," Hocking said.
"From two wins last year and [Jacob] Surjan did a great job, and they had a few big losses at the start of this year, but Clayton and his coaching group have really stayed in line with what we've been trying to do and they have really gelled.
"It's fantastic and great for Clayton who puts in a lot of time and effort and it's great for his boys because they will be the next contracted boys coming through.
"They are playing like a team which is the best thing for us.
"They are playing a good style of footy, they look like they are enjoying each other's company on the ground and they are really enthusiastic."
The Academy side will play Glenelg in the early match on Friday 14 August at 4.30pm.
