PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is still searching for a four-quarter performance from his players as the Power's finals hopes hang by a thread.

Port slipped to 6-9 after falling three points short of a famous comeback win in Sunday's emotional Showdown against the Crows. 

TRIBUTE: Power, Crows honour Walsh

The Power trailed for the entire match, but almost pinched victory in a final-quarter onslaught where they had 18 inside 50s and booted the only four goals of the term.

"No I didn't feel like we should've won the game," Hinkley said.

"We would've used the word pinch if we won the game. 

"We're still chasing our first real four-quarter performance.

"It's round 16 and we still haven't done that."

HINKLEY: Full post-game presser

Port was rated a premiership contender at the start of the season but has struggled to replicate the form that took it to within a kick of last year's Grand Final.  

At times the Power can play devastating footy, but at others they look indecisive. 

"We're not predictable to each other and that's when it breaks," Hinkley said. 

"We've gone from this is how we're [going to play] to second-guessing and that happens when your form is not quite where it needs to be. 

"The fundamentals of our game were hurting us today. 

"They made us pay on turnovers and turn them into goals."

WATCH: The final two minutes

Skipper Travis Boak was the standout for Port Adelaide and willed his team back into the match in the final quarter. 

But he played a lone hand with Adelaide dominating the midfield thanks to a wonderful performance by ruckman Sam Jacobs, Phil Walsh medallist Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield.

"Their two inside-mids, they had 26 clearances between two players is a significant performance," Hinkley said. 

"They were too strong and too clean in tight for us.

"When you lose first possession 36 to 66 that gives them a chance to put the ball where they want." 

The Power take on Essendon, St Kilda and Western Bulldogs in the next three rounds and can't afford any more losses if they want to play finals again this season.