PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has implored his players to quickly get over their heartbreaking four-point loss to West Coast knowing the Power's finals destiny is still on the line.
The Power led all night before Jeremy McGovern's kick after the siren saw the Eagles steal a four-point victory – 9.8 (62) to 9.4 (58) – at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
It is Port Adelaide's second straight loss by less than a goal after its three-point defeat to Adelaide in Showdown 45 last week.
EAGLES STEAL POINTS Full match coverage and stats
The Power (12-8) are seventh on the ladder and more than likely need to win their last two games, against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday, followed by a round 23 clash at home with Essendon, to secure their finals berth.
They will be without key forward Charlie Dixon (ankle) for the rest of the season, while ruckman Paddy Ryder (hip flexor) and defender Dan Houston (concussion) are in doubt to face the Magpies.
"That's the players' job and that's what our jobs are – to get over it and we give ourselves a chance," a defiant Hinkley said.
DEJA VU FOR PORT Five talking points
"We've got ourselves in a position that we deserve so need to make sure we capitalise on that.
"We've got a great opportunity next week. That's the way I look at it, a great opportunity. Let's take them on, let's take the world on, let's have a crack at this and not dwell on what's gone against us.
"Let's look at the opportunities in front of us.
"Collingwood at the MCG, here we come."
WATCH Ken Hinkley's full post-match press conference
Hinkley was confident his players would be up for the fight.
"Bloody oath I am," he said.
"They'll have a crack, they'll have a go.
"They'll reset, get over this game and the good part for them is there's so much to play for.
"Let's get after the opportunity, that's how I'm going to coach them this week."
McGovern's match-winner was in a similar spot to where Luke Shuey sealed the Eagles' victory in last year's elimination final over the Power.
"I've got a couple of pictures now, haven't I, courtesy of West Coast," Hinkley said.
"I'll wake up in the middle of the night, horrified and screaming.
"I stood there and watched (McGovern's kick) and I had a bad feeling, I knew where it was going.
"It felt like we were given everything right until the last moment.
"It felt like it was going to get stolen.
"Albeit, West Coast were coming at us hard for probably 40, 50 minutes. It just felt like, you're not going to get there."
One bright spot for the Power was the job youngster Aidyn Johnson did on McGovern in the first three quarters.
Despite giving away 10cm, Johnson stopped McGovern's ability to zone off and take intercept marks while kicking three goals himself.
"He's a pretty desperate player," Hinkley said.
"He wants to play so he accepts his role really well.
"For him to get the job done is well done to him."
