PORT ADELAIDE senior coach Ken Hinkley was proud of his side’s victory over the ladder-leading Geelong on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.

Port led from start to finish, eventually running out 11-point victors to register its seventh win of the season, and return to the top eight.

“I thought it was a team out there giving their all as they do every week,” Hinkley said at his post-match press conference.

“Winning a close game against a high-quality opponent at home was wonderful for them to achieve the success that they deserve.

“Last week they were right in the game in a difficult place in Perth to three-quarter time, and they didn’t finish off in the last quarter.

“But tonight, I thought they played a wonderful four quarters of football against a great side.”

Hinkley said the message from the coaching staff was very clear to the playing group during training this week at Alberton.

“That was the key message for the boys going into the game - we have to play four strong quarters,” he said.

“We know it isn’t going to be much fun against the Cats out there all the time, but we know if we stick at it, we can match any team.

“We stuck at it and we got a result we deserved.”

The senior coach had special praise for new midfielder Dan Houston, who collected 24 disposals but also put the clamps on Geelong star Tim Kelly.

“Dan (Houston) has had an unbelievable season,” Hinkley said.

“I look around the competition and there’s not many players that are in much better form than Dan.

“He deserves to be recognised for the season he has put together, and he’s done it for a long period of time now. I’m sure everyone will see that.

“To transition from half-back seamlessly into the midfield - and he played under a bit of duress tonight to be fair - was another amazing performance from him.”

Hinkley was also impressed with his team’s defensive efforts, especially the ability to nullify the Cats’ spearhead Tom Hawkins.

“I thought the defence all night - the defence all year’s been really strong,” he said.

“It was a hard game to score for both sides, and we probably had a few more opportunities, but it was a hard game to score in.

“The performance of Tom Clurey - to play on Tom Hawkins who I rate unbelievably - he really did a number (on him).”

The Power will host the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval next Saturday night, where they will look to make it consecutive wins for the first time since Round 6.