MIDFIELDER Travis Boak says Port Adelaide's new leadership program is starting to have an effect following the club's most complete performance of the season against Richmond at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

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The Power had won just 10 of a possible 36 quarters, three of which came in their only victory for the season over Adelaide in round four, prior to the clash with the in-form Tigers.

They had been competitive at different stages in the other seven games but failed to maintain the effort for the duration. Coach Matthew Primus insisted his team's inability to compete for four quarters was a result of a lack of concentration, and encouraged the work his players were doing behind closed doors with leadership mentors Jan Stirling and Steven Ball.

Against Richmond in Darwin, Port Adelaide took a step towards establishing consistency, winning three of the four quarters en route to a 15-point win.

Boak said the players had worked closely with Ball and former women's national basketball coach Stirling to maintain confidence after five straight losses.

"The last few weeks we have been nearly there and we have been working really hard each week with Steve and Jan and I think that is really coming together," Boak said on Monday.

"Jan has just really reinforced being positive, being confident and going back to what's made us get to the AFL, what's made us good players and a good group.

"It was going back to team effort, working for each other and playing for each other."

Primus has put a greater emphasis on defence since taking over from predecessor Mark Williams as caretaker coach in round 16 last season.

Port Adelaide laid 89 tackles against Richmond, equaling its season-best tackle count, and Boak said that would be the benchmark for his team going forward.

"I think the boys just needed to put four quarters of effort in and we did that on the weekend," he said.

"Our pressure acts were fantastic ... our mids, our forwards and our backs were just fantastic in putting pressure on Richmond. That is what got us the result in the end.

"We've still got plenty to improve on … but our defensive work is what's going to win us games."

The Port Adelaide midfield has struggled to win enough of the ball this season, relying heavily on Boak and inexperienced onballer Hamish Hartlett.

Boak continued to lead the way against the more-fancied Richmond onball brigade, but received better support from Danyle Pearce, roaming big man Justin Westhoff and improving duo Matt Thomas and Matt Broadbent.

The Power midfield will face an even bigger challenge at AAMI Stadium this week against the fourth-placed Carlton.

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Boak considered the Blues midfield, which includes dual Brownlow medalist Chris Judd, former No.1 draft picks Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs, and reliable contributors Heath Scotland and Kade Simpson to be among the "top-three" midfields in the competition.

"It's going to be a fantastic challenge for us, and guys like myself, Hamish and Matty Broadbent," he said.

"We'll probably learn a lot from Judd, Murphy and those sorts of guys and we're really looking forward to it."

Another positive to come out of the weekend for Port Adelaide was capitulation of cross-town rivals Adelaide, which has seen the media glare in South Australia re-focused.

"There was a bit of a wry smile this morning," Boak said of Adelaide's 40-point loss to the Brisbane Lions.

"There was a bit more positive stuff about us and a little bit more negative about them [the Crows], which is good."

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill