FOR the first time in more than a decade - and in the Ken Hinkley era - Port Adelaide is virtually out of finals contention in early July. And the agenda now turns to being the hardest team to play while testing the merit of any club wanting a top-eighth berth.

There also will be a focus on setting up the best platform for the new era under coaching-in-waiting Josh Carr.

"We want to play well - and the right way - every week. We expect to play in the right fashion - and always will. That will not change," Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley said at Alberton on Tuesday.

"I am really confident our players will act like that, will train like that. Regardless of when this season finishes, we will have the right energy and the right desperation and passion to play the right way."

At 7-9, ranked 11th, Port Adelaide is effectively out of the top-eight race with seven games to play to close the home-and-away season. Even if the cut-off to the finals was the regular 13 wins, Port Adelaide's percentage of 87.6 would be an anchor.

After this weekend's clash with West Coast, Port Adelaide will be paired with finals contenders in five of six games - Hawthorn, the Showdown, Geelong, Fremantle and Gold Coast.

EVIDENCE: Hinkley is reassured by his players' attitude as highlighted amid the setbacks experienced at the Gabba on Saturday night when reduced to one player on the interchange bench as the injury count rose.

"I was really proud of the boys," Hinkley said. "There was a fair bit going on. And when you lose really important people - particularly Sam Powell-Pepper as a leader of our club - there is reason at the Gabba to get a bit down on yourself and get sad.

"Our boys got within 16 points and had a couple of shots that could have closed the gap big time against a really good side. They keep trying to represent our footy club the right way."

NEXT STEP: Fast-tracking Josh Carr's agenda is already in play.

"Everything we have done this year is for this season and our future," Hinkley said.

"That will not change. We will do whatever is right for the club in the short term and the long term, regardless. I have no issue with making sure that we are in great shape for the future as much as we are in for the now."

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Selection is to be dominated by the need to replace three players added to the long-term injury list - and the chance for SANFL players in fine form.

The storyline of the season - an injury list always denying Port Adelaide any continuity with its line-up - deepened at the Gabba on Saturday night with the loss of half-forward Sam Powell-Pepper (knee), ruck Dante Visentini (ankle) and key defender Esava Ratugoleau (hamstring). All three will not play again this year.

"We have some decent form in our SANFL boys," Hinkley said. "Our two tall forwards (Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson) both kicked bags of five. Ivan Soldo played really well in the ruck. 

"And we have a lot of younger players who are emerging and doing reasonably well. Luckily enough, there is opportunity for a few boys - and we are going to need them."

The contenders at selection are mid-season draftees Mani Liddy and Ewan Mackinlay.

"Mackinlay is one player we would not mind getting a look at," Hinkley said. "Logan Evans. Will Lorenz is really close to getting a game. Jed McEntee. We are in a fortunate position with decent numbers available in the SANFL. It does give us good options."

SELECTION STRATEGY: One theme will dictate selection - form that merits AFL play.

"It is really clear for us," Hinkley said. "We have played the fourth-most players this season, we have played five debutants and we are always exploring our list. We will continue to do that.

"But we will not explore the list at the expense of giving our best performances. That is really important for everyone to understand. We are in the business of still winning football games from here to the end of the year.

"That is first and foremost. The club and coaches are all on the same page. We have exposed our list a lot (already)."

SPP: For the second time in as many seasons, Sam Powell-Pepper is in recovery from knee surgery.

"He has had his surgery; it now turns to recovery," Hinkley said. "Sam is such a great person, a powerful person. He will get after his rehab. My message to him was, 'I look forward to seeing you play your next game'."

ESAVA: Port Adelaide's vastly improved defender Esava Ratugolea is expected to have surgery after yet another hamstring tear.

"Esava will see a specialist (on Wednesday)," Hinkley said. "That may or may not be surgery. It is leaning towards surgery. 

"But he should take enormous amount of confidence in how he has played this year. He has not had a lot of time as a key back. He is our most-improved player."

MID-SEASON CUP: With the AFL exploring a new mid-season competition, Hinkley offered this advice: "There is nothing wrong with exploring and looking to what may be different or new, but you have to be really sure with what you are doing.

Sometimes change for change sake is not always good either."

Port Adelaide last played West Coast more than a year ago - on March 17 at Adelaide Oval where it achieved a 50-point win to take the head-to-head lead to 23-16 in Port Adelaide's favour.

The match at Adelaide Oval on Sunday starts at 4.10pm.