PORT ADELAIDE defender Hamish Hartlett says the external noise in the media in the past fortnight hasn’t affected the playing group and coaching staff within the four walls at Alberton Oval.
Sections of the media have been critical of the Power’s inability to string together wins, with questions being asked about the future of coach Ken Hinkley.
Hartlett says forming a strong bond and staying positive has been a real focus for the group in season 2019.
“It’s something we as a group - players and coaches - have focussed on right from the outset,” Hartlett told RSN 927’s Breakfast Club on Monday morning.
“We wanted to ensure that we were really connected and a really tight group throughout the season no matter what the results presented to us.
“It really is the way it’s been for the entire season so far. In years gone by, if we suffered a loss, heads were usually down and things were pretty grim around the place.
“We’ve made sure we’ve remained really positive throughout the year, and no doubt that will be the case again when we come in this afternoon.”
Port kicked its second-highest score for the year against Essendon on Saturday afternoon, and Hartlett says an emphasis on lowering the eyes and using the ball more efficiently moving inside 50 was the catalyst.
“The major changes from the GWS game to the game on Saturday was our entries going inside 50,” he said.
“It probably felt like we were bombing the ball in too often and (Phil) Davis and (Nick) Haynes were able to intercept mark those balls. Against Essendon we lowered the eyes and just assessed all options before going inside 50.
“In terms of what Essendon were doing, we wanted to slow them down as much as we could, and didn’t allow them to come through the corridor.
“They were two things we focussed on going into the game and I think we executed them very well.”
The 28-year-old knows the importance of the final three weeks of the season heading into September, and says the group is up for the fight.
“We are under no illusions that things are pretty tight for seventh and eighth positions on the ladder,” Hartlett said.
“We are one of three or four other teams fighting for those spots, so we understand every game is significant from here on out.
“Sydney are one of those teams who are similar to us in a way, where they have played some really good footy in patches and have some young talented guys coming through as well.
“They pose a really good challenge for us. But we have three games coming up that are winnable - provided we play the footy that know we are capable of playing.”
In the run home, the Power hosts the Swans on Saturday, before a trip to Marvel Stadium to face North Melbourne and a Round 23 encounter against Fremantle in Adelaide.
