PORT Adelaide might be back in the top eight, but ruckman Dean Brogan says his side can’t afford to look ahead any further than Sunday’s all-important clash with Fremantle at Subiaco.

The Power, thrashed by 70 points in round 17 by cross-town rivals Adelaide, enjoyed a predictable ‘up’ game against Hawthorn on Sunday, downing the reigning premier by 18 points.

Port Adelaide hasn’t won consecutive games since rounds three and four, and Brogan said his team would need another solid four-quarter performance to snap its yo-yo form.

“We’re not even looking at playing finals. We want to play finals, but all we’re worried about is this week. We’re in the eight, which is fantastic, and the results went our way, but we just want to win this week,” Brogan said on Monday.

“We win one week and lose the other; that’s the challenge we’re facing. The time is now for us ... we have to start stringing some games together.”

Regular starters Brett Ebert and Steven Salopek joined veterans Peter Burgoyne and Josh Carr in the SANFL over the weekend after being dropped for their inconsistent effort.

All four players performed well in the local league, but Brogan said the experienced quartet could struggle to break into the side to take on Freo.

“We’re just not putting up with it anymore. If you’re not going to put in a four-quarter effort, you risk being dropped. 'Choco' [coach Mark Williams] sent the message out last week, and we got a response from it,” Brogan said.

“We’ve tried different things each week, and the ultimate sacrifice is getting dropped. Players are on notice now. It’s the business end of the season, and we’ve been playing around with a few things at training hoping things are going to happen, but it hasn’t. We just need effort from across the playing group.”

Skipper Dom Cassisi, who suffered a mild concussion, is the club’s only real injury concern.

Cassisi was forced from the field after a nasty clash of heads with Hawk Jordan Lewis, but returned to help guide his side to victory.

“That’s Dom for you. People sort of questioned why he was made captain at the start of the year, but he’s put that to rest now,” Brogan said.

"He’s a fantastic leader. We’re not sure where he’s at, at the moment, but for him to come back on after a serious knock just sends a message to the rest of the group. If you don’t follow his lead, you’re going to get left behind.”

The Power’s late-season surge could be bolstered by the imminent return of forward Daniel Motlop.

While Motlop, who is recovering from a fractured ankle, was listed as being a month away in the club’s official injury update last week, Brogan said the mercurial forward was on track to return in two weeks.

“To have 'Motts' back coming towards the business end of the season would be fantastic,” he said.

“Yesterday you saw Shaun Burgoyne, who has missed 14 games, in just his second game back dominate. 'Motts' is in that same category. They’re just freaks and they don’t need too much time back in the system.”