PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley has lamented his side’s inaccuracy and admitted it is not playing its best football, despite beating Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening.

Port was challenged by the Hawks and could not put them away until a goal by Zak Butters after a brilliant piece of ruckwork by Scott Lycett with about two minutes to play.

The 9.14 (68) to 9.4 (58) win consolidated Port’s hold on top spot and the result was a fitting way to celebrate the 200^th game of midfielder Tom Rockliff.

But Hinkley said it was a tough battle after a challenging week, which saw a ten-goal loss to Geelong and two players suspended for breaching the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols.

“We’ve had a challenging week and we continued that challenge with 9.14,” Hinkley said of his side’s inaccuracy after the match.

“We gave ourselves an opportunity to potentially lose the game but again… we’re not playing our best footy, that’s clear and obvious to everyone but we’re finding a way to get through.

“We challenged ourselves, Hawthorn challenged us and we still found a way to get the four points, which was really important.”

It was Port’s tenth win of the season and came after the Hawks settled well with the first three goals of the game.

In the lead-up to the game Hinkley said his side lacked energy in last week’s loss to Geelong and he said that game was not weighing on the mind of his players on Saturday.

“The Geelong game was well and truly gone and it was more about tonight’s game where we had to just get through the game and win the game we had to win,” he said.

“If you’re asking me if we’re playing our best footy at the moment, we’re not playing our best footy at the moment.

“Some parts of our game are not where they need to be.

“I thought some of our hunt and pressure was a little bit off and to Hawthorn’s credit they were coming after us a little bit.

“We needed to make sure we were doing the challenging. That’s our DNA, that’s the way we play. We’re nothing if we don’t pressure and that’s what I want our team to be.

“I want our team to pressure, then we turn the ball over to be able to play exciting footy.”

Hinkley was full of praise for Butters, who got two crucial goals including the match-winner, and spent time on the ball in the last quarter to help spark the side.

“He’s got that potential to bring some energy to the team,” the coach said.

“He’s a young player and usually the young players play with that real freedom.

“Zak’s got great composure as well and he knows those moments that he can step up.

“I said to him after the game it was a great moment that stoppage. It’s a pretty special moment for Zak, he’s a young player but he’s got a lot to still learn – we’re just glad he’s with our footy club.”

Tom Rockliff was good in his 200^th AFL game in tandem with Travis Boak through the middle. They combined for 62 disposals, 12 tackles and 12 clearances.

Boak celebrated a milestone of his own, qualifying for AFL life membership with his 300^th senior game.

“Travis has always had a high standard. He’s one of those players who more often than not brings a pretty consistent level to his game,” Hinkley said.

“I think he earned his life membership with 300 games, Rock(liff) played his 200^th game. They’re milestones that our boys have been able to represent pretty well throughout the year and his form has been pretty consistent throughout the season.”

Hinkley said he expected two of the injured Todd Marshall, Ryan Burton and Connor Rozee to be pushing for selection for next week’s game against Sydney.