PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley is seeing his side being more reliable in 2020, and he has put it down to the group knowing each other and the game plan better.
For so long a team that could excite one week and disappoint the next, Port has been a revelation of 2020 so far as it heads into round four unbeaten.
It’ll come up against a so-far dispirited West Coast line-up on Saturday at Metricon Stadium, which has lost its two games in the AFL’s Queensland hub and will be keen to improve that record.
But Port coach Ken Hinkley on Friday said the Eagles were a far better side than their early results indicated.
“They’re one of the leading teams in the competition and we’ve got a good opportunity to see where we are a little bit,” Hinkley said.
“We know how good they are – they’re a great side.”
In recent years, Port has been tagged “untrustworthy” because of its inconsistent results but Hinkley acknowledged his side had added a layer of substance to its style.
"We're certainly more reliable in the way we play,” he said.
“That doesn't mean we're going to win every game or we're going to be brilliant in every game. But you look like a team that knows what they're doing a little bit more. And every day you train together and play together you certainly learn a little bit more.
"That's the advantage of some of the top sides in recent years who have been together a number of years and they know how to play together. We're going to have to play our best."
Port Adelaide will lose one of their key playmakers for the next month with Xavier Duursma falling to a hamstring strain in last week's win over Fremantle.
But they have brought in sharp-kicking Kane Farrell, who can play forward or on the wing, and have a settled side for veteran Brad Ebert's 250th game for the club.
Hinkley, who is aiming to take Port back to the finals for the first time since 2017, said his group of talented and vibrant youngsters have allowed the Power to play an attractive and sustainable brand.
"I've always been big on the belief you've got to coach what you've got and have a style for the players you've got available to you," he said.
"Our style now is a little bit different. We've got some genuine speed in our team, there's no doubt about that."
An interesting ruck battle looms as crucial in Saturday's contest, with in-form Port big man – and West Coast's 2018 premiership big man – Scott Lycett coming up against former teammate Nic Naitanui and Tom Hickey.
Port utility Justin Westhoff will also assist in the role.
"Scott's had a good restart to the season like the team has, I think that's indicative of a team that's winning – everyone's form is probably pretty good at the moment," Hinkley said.
"Clearly this week he's critically important with what Naitanui and Hickey can do for West Coast with the elite midfield they've got."
