1. Port isn't top four...
Hardly outmuscled, but certainly outplayed in the third quarter, the Power's game against Hawthorn was a fair indicator of where they sit compared to the AFL leaders.
While the Power are yet to best a top eight side this year, Ken Hinkley says it's a goal they'll keep chasing. That challenge starts no sooner than this Saturday against the Roos.
2. Could be top eight, but...
The outlook is this: The Power simply must win to keep their September chances alive. A general rule of thumb going forward is that Port cannot drop more than one out of the minor round's remaining seven games.
That marks a tough test with battles against flag fancies Sydney and Adelaide as well as tough asks against North Melbourne and GWS in the next fortnight.
As Hinkley said in his post-match presser, footy seasons are strange things, and a slim chance is better than no chance at all.
3. Port's backs will be better for the run
Port's young crop are learning the hard way, and that's a good thing. To put things into perspective, Darcy Byrne-Jones has played the second-most games this year to Jasper Pittard. Tom Clurey has played two AFL games this year, Logan Austin five and on Thursday that backline was pit against some of the best forwards in the game.
Tom Jonas returns this week, and Jack Hombsch is still three off, but the short-term pain of this young backline will hopefully translate into longer term gains.
4. Port fans can fire up
It was a tough game between two sides going hard at it, and we were reminded hell hath no fury like a Port crowd scorned...
