CAPTAIN Dom Cassisi says Port Adelaide can expect to win more games in the latter half of the season if the team uses its determined effort against West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Sunday as a template.
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The Power trailed the in-form Eagles by five goals at half-time of the clash, but made the home side work for its 22-point victory after dropping off markedly in the second half of six matches this season.
Goals to emerging trio Hamish Hartlett, Travis Boak and Cam O'Shea helped Port Adelaide claw back to within 17 points in the final term before Eagles defender Shannon Hurn snuffed out any hope of an upset with his third goal of the game.
The wildly-inconsistent Power have managed only two wins from 12 games this season to sit percentage ahead of newcomers Gold Coast in 16th spot on the AFL ladder.
Port Adelaide needs to win six of its last 10 games to surpass its worst season (seven wins in 2008) in the club's short AFL history.
Cassisi declined to put a number on how many games his team should expect to win in the second half of the year, but was confident a third victory wasn't far away.
"Our effort and intensity couldn't be questioned yesterday. We've still got some areas we need to tidy up and were disappointed we didn't win the game, but at the same time the effort was at the standard it should be," Cassisi said on Monday.
"If we can use that as the foundation moving forward for the second half of the year [in terms of] our effort and intensity I'm sure we can fix up our skill errors and a few other little things ... and it should get us a few wins for sure.
"The challenge for us now is to provide that again this week."
Cassisi said Port Adelaide would continue to use the Eagles as an example of a team whose fortunes have turned around quickly.
West Coast finished in the bottom two on the premiership table in two of the previous three seasons, and 'won' its first-ever wooden spoon last season.
In the space of nine months, John Worsfold's charges have reversed their form to be in contention for a top-four finish this season.
"West Coast is the most improved side in the competition from last year and it [the club's improvement this season] does give you hope," Cassisi said.
"They're playing really well as a team and I think that's the key thing. They're having 22 guys contribute every week, and that's what we need to get to.
"Bit by bit, we've got players staying in the game longer and I've got no doubt we'll get to that [West Coast's] level soon."
The Power's next challenge is against long-time bogey team North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Kangaroos have won 18 of the 25 games played between the two teams including four of the last five, and are hoping to build on a three-game winning streak after beating Essendon last weekend.
Explosive onballer David Rodan, who hasn't played since injuring his knee against Hawthorn in round seven, pressed his claims for a recall against the Roos, kicking six goals for Norwood on Saturday.
Midfielders Steven Salopek and Mitch Banner also performed well in the SANFL.
Cassisi, who starred in his comeback game from a broken leg against the Eagles, welcomed the pressure at the selection table.
"David's definitely knocking on the door after a performance like that. He kicked six goals and I guess he was playing on the ball as well, so it's a remarkable effort," he said.
"It provides us with competition for spots, which maybe we haven't had for a little while. Salopek played pretty well as well, so all of a sudden we've got guys pushing for selection."
Katrina Gill covers Port Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill
