PORT ADELAIDE captain Tom Jonas isn’t feeling any added pressure from comments coach Ken Hinkley made earlier in the year about his side wanting to contend for the 2020 Premiership, because that is the expectation from the playing group every season.
Jonas says the Power's young and exciting group set high standards for what they could achieve in the club’s 150th anniversary year, and didn’t have to regularly revisit Hinkley’s comments.
“We don’t touch on (Hinkley’s pre-season comments) much internally because it is just an expectation from our members and supporters and each other,” Jonas told Fox Sports News during Tuesday afternoon’s Captains’ Day at Marvel Stadium.
“We go out there to win every week, and if we win enough games, we will be playing finals.
“If we’re not doing that then obviously, we will be disappointed because everyone hates losing, we do in particular.”
The Power enjoyed an undefeated pre-season, defeating Brisbane by 21 points and the Western Bulldogs by 10 points, as well as recording a six-point under 23s victory over the Crows.
The skipper said it was a nice reward for the hard work being put in by the playing group at Alberton.
“I think the Marsh (Community Series) results are just a great reinforcement for the things we have been practicing in pre-season have been working and we are doing the right stuff,” Jonas said.
“We are going into round 1 full of confidence and we are ready to get into it.”
Key forward Charlie Dixon and ruckman Scott Lycett both finished Saturday’s win over the Bulldogs on the bench with minor injuries, but Jonas believed both boys would be available for Port Adelaide’s round 1 clash with Gold Coast.
“Those boys were assessed yesterday and they are looking pretty good,” he said.
“They will have a light week on the track and hopefully get a main session in next week.
“They should be right for round 1.”
The Power faces the Suns on Saturday 21 March at 6.55pm ACDT at Metricon Stadium in its first game of the season.
