The Power rallied late at Patersons Stadium, but ultimately fell eight points short of a win that would have secured fourth spot and a double chance.
Vice-captain Brad Ebert said the side's inability to stop the Dockers through the third term and into the fourth was down to a lack of work rate and concentration.
But he insisted he and his teammates would have no issues switching on for the entirety of Sunday's elimination final against Richmond at Adelaide Oval.
"It just came down to a fair bit of that team care; there were a few instances where we probably weren't working as hard as we should have or little slips in concentration," Ebert said.
"Apart from that nine-goal haul during last weekend's game, the week before against Carlton (and) the week before against Gold Coast, we really started to take some good steps forward.
"I think that we can really grow on that again.
"Looking around the club all the boys are pumped [for Sunday], they're really excited ... we just can't wait to get out there."
One of the shining lights to come out of last weekend's loss was the form shown by full-forward Jay Schulz.
Schulz booted six goals, three of which came in the final term.
The 29-year-old had previously kicked just four goals from his past four games.
Ebert said when Schulz fired it lifted the entire side's confidence knowing he would take care of business once the ball entered attacking 50.
"He just looks that damaging full forward like he was earlier in the season," he said.
"I think he's been providing the runs and the leads ... he just hasn't been able to hit the scoreboard like he would have liked.
"You love kicking to him ... whenever he gets a set shot you just turn around and start walking back to the centre."
In added good news for the club, Port remains confident speedster Matt White will line up against the Tigers despite being subbed out of its loss to Fremantle.
White has battled a groin complaint and although he didn't train outdoors with his teammates on Tuesday, he's expected to play.
Ebert said the club was simply managing White after missing two games with the groin injury in round 19 and 20.
