PORT Adelaide has "has got what it deserved" in 2015, coach Ken Hinkley says.
The Power’s horror year ended on Saturday night a meaningless 69-point win over a depleted Dockers side to finish in ninth place. It follows a pre-season where they were expected to challenge for a premiership.
"There's admission in the rooms in not doing what we set out to do at the start of the year," Hinkley said.
"We mark it as a failure and a disappointing year.
"In 2013 I said we'll get what we deserve and I'll say it again today, we have got what we deserve and we finished 9th.
"12 wins and 10 losses is not an acceptable season but I'm not going to sit here and pot our blokes or our club.
"We're in pursuit of mastery and we're not going to stop until we get there."
The Power finished the season winning six of their last seven games, finding the defensive pressure and polish that was their trademark last season to dismantled Fremantle.
"That's what the good teams play football like, we were on edge," Hinkley said.
"We've done it with composure we haven't done it stupidly.
"We've just understood that it takes us to be on the front foot to play our best footy."
The Dockers jumped the Power in what Hinkley labelled “a dead rubber”.
After a rev-up at quarter-time, Port powered through the final three quarters. Justin Westhoff and Hamish Hartlett starred while Sam Gray continued his meteoric rise in the midfield with 34 possessions.
"Today more than any other day I can understand why they were a bit down at the start of the game," Hinkley said.
"I got aggressive and the boys responded in the right way.
"If anyone has announced themselves to the competition I think Sam (Gray) has.
"You shouldn't worry about size when you've got footy smarts and grunt."
The other player that had everyone talking was John Butcher. He showed his outstanding marking skills but also his maligned kicking for goal. His career seemed over a few weeks ago but the 24-year-old looks to have shown enough to earn another contract.
"It was exciting for everyone, wasn't it?" Hinkley said of Butcher.
"We all sat back and had some fun with it and John did too.
"That's what I was pleased about; John didn't let it cook him which is a difficult job for him.
"He had nine or 10 score involvements for us.
"There'll come a day where he'll get it (his goalkicking) OK I reckon.
"He's not giving up and we're not giving up."
Port has a big off-season ahead. Exit interviews will start during the week and the Power are expected to be significant players in the trade period.
They've been linked to Gold Coast guns Charlie Dixon and Harley Bennell and sharpshooter Jay Schulz is rumoured to have significant interest from Fremantle.
