PORT Adelaide is ready to embrace the upcoming challenges in its final month of the home and away season, with coach Ken Hinkley believing the tough fixture could have his team primed for the finals.
The Power's 44-point victory over the Western Bulldogs lifted them to fourth spot on the ladder, but the next four weeks do not get any easier with a massive Showdown against Adelaide followed by assignments against West Coast, Collingwood and Essendon.
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"We've got as tough a run home as there is, but that's OK," Hinkley said after the game.
"If we make it and get through we'll be ready. We'll have a great run in (to the finals).
"If we get there we'll deserve to get there and we'll be in good form going in there."
Adelaide's loss to Melbourne on Saturday night makes finals very unlikely for the Power's cross-town rivals but Hinkley knows not to underestimate the Crows.
"I never dismiss the Showdown in not being a big event," Hinkley said.
"It's the Crows' home Showdown so we'll be up against a pretty noisy crowd.
"From a football season point of view it's big for us."
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Hinkley is acutely aware of where the Eagles (second spot), Collingwood (third spot) and Essendon (11th spot) sit on the AFL ladder.
Hinkley lauded the performance of key forward Charlie Dixon, who booted a season-high five goals in a best afield performance in wintery conditions at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
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The Power coach said Dixon's effort was more meritorious because he was under an injury cloud earlier in the week.
"He's had a pretty impressive week, to be honest," Hinkley said.
"He was a little bit sore through the week and got through and he probably played his best game.
"I'd say that's nearly his best game, in those conditions, for a big man."
WATCH Ken Hinkley's full post-match media conference
The Power recalled Patrick Ryder and Tom Jonas to the side following injury-layoffs and Hinkley conceded he made a bold call to select the pair given their lack of football.
Ryder missed just one match with a hip flexor complaint, while Jonas returned from a knee injury after just two weeks on the sidelines.
"He's pulled up really well," Hinkley said of Ryder.
"We were pretty brave (picking him) because I would have been sitting here copping it if the result had have been different or if they got injured.
"We were nervous (selecting Ryder). The media know that we rely a bit on Paddy Ryder.
"They were both really strong. The medical team did an outstanding job – having the run under their belt was really important too."
