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We’ll have a crack, says Hinkley

Sep 15, 2014

Port Adelaide aren’t going to die wondering – and that spells bad news for Hawthorn heading into Saturday night’s AFL preliminary final at the MCG.

The Power came from 31 points down to knock Fremantle out of the flag race with a shock 22-point win in Saturday night’s semi-final at Patersons Stadium.

Hawthorn will start as warm favourites in the preliminary final, but Port Adelaide’s supreme fitness and no-fears attitude gives them a legitimate chance to secure their first grand final berth since 2007.

Power coach Ken Hinkley isn’t going to set any limits on what his side can achieve, dismissing the notion that his squad might be too inexperienced to win this year’s flag.

“I laugh (when I hear that),” Hinkley said

“At the start of the year I said to the boys that 17 out of 18 experts said we couldn’t make the eight this year.

“That’s what they said – people who have got great knowledge in football.

“We acknowledge that people have opinions, but we just want to show them that this is a really good football club.”

The Power beat Hawthorn by 14 points in round 10 at Adelaide Oval in the only meeting between the two teams this season.

However, the Hawks were missing key players Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead that day.

Hawthorn are fresh and ready to fire following a week’s rest, while the Power will be forced to travel for a second straight week after finishing the home-and-away season in fifth spot.

Hinkley knows the odds are stacked against his side, but he doesn’t care.

“They are reigning premiers and they know they can get us,” Hinkley said.

“But I am sure they are sitting there thinking we are going to provide them with some significant tests.

“In my first year, we said we’re not putting any limits on where we can go.

“People probably thought we were a bit silly at that point, and rightly so, but we’re not going to do it now either – we’re not going to put any limits on us.

“The players know that our best footy is good enough – there is no mystery in that.

“This team know they can come from almost anywhere and win it.

“I said two weeks ago that we’re going to have a crack and we are still going to have a crack.”

Hinkley said defender Tom Jonas, who was subbed off early in the third quarter against the Dockers with a corked leg, would be fit to take on the Hawks.

Forward Robbie Gray was the hero against Fremantle, with his four-goal effort in the third quarter propelling Port Adelaide back into the match.

Hinkley praised the efforts of Gray, but said it was the team’s ability to lift as a whole in the second half that proved defining.

Preliminary Final Saturday:

Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at MCG 4.15pm

Head to Head: Hawks 12 Power 16 drawn 0

Last clash: Round 10 2014 – Power 15.10 (100) bt Hawks 13.8 (86) at Launceston

Last final: Semi-final 2001 – Hawks 10.12 (72) bt Power 10.9 (69) at Football Park

Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.30 Power $3.55

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has told the Power their best football is good enough. A trip to Melbourne, a week after a game in Perth, is an extra hurdle for the Power against the well-rested Hawks. The young, enthusiastic, talented Power have emerged as one of the game’s most-entertaining outfits so far in this finals series. Tom Jonas (corked hip) is an injury concern for Port, who will face a stronger Hawthorn side than the one they beat in round 10. Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson’s biggest decision at the selection table could be whether he gambles on the fitness of dual-premiership small forward Cyril Rioli (hamstring).

Key: Hawthorn can boast a formidable midfield, plenty of goalkicking power and star fullback Brian Lake. The Power may need some individual magic from small forwards Chad Wingard, Ollie Wines and Robbie Gray if they hope to overcome the hungry Hawks who are chasing consecutive flags.

Update:

North Melbourne veteran Brent Harvey could miss Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against Sydney after being charged with rough conduct.

The match review panel has offered the midfielder a one-match ban for his clash with Geelong’s Joel Selwood in last Friday’s semi-final win at the MCG.

If Harvey fails to beat the charge, he will sit out the grand final qualifier against the Swans at ANZ Stadium because of his poor record.

 

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