After surging to the top of the AFL ladder in the first half of the season, the Power lost seven of their remaining 11 games to finish fifth on the table.

 

In stark contrast, the Tigers will enter the final on the back of nine straight wins and a stirring three-point upset over the Sydney Swans.

 

Hinkley said he wasn't at all concerned with his side's recent lack of wins, insisting Port was "ready".

 

"Richmond are nine-zip, we've won four of 11 or something in the back half – those things don't worry me," Hinkley said.

 

"I don't care one bit about them, I just go out there and make sure the team's prepared as best we possibly can.

 

"I'm really comfortable with our form, I think we're in really good shape.

 

"We've just taken on one of the biggest challenges in the comp going over to Perth and playing (Fremantle) - we let ourselves down for about 20 minutes, gave up a run of goals we haven't given up all year and we still lose the game by a kick and a half.

 

"We're ready, we're OK.”

 

Hinkley has previously spoken at length about the benefit of belief within a football club and said Richmond was currently riding a wave of confidence.

 

He said the key to Port ensuring that belief didn't take hold on Sunday would be to assert early pressure.

 

"They'll be really up and about, there's no doubt," he said.

 

"They've been very confident about what they've been able to do, they've gone to Sydney, taken on the biggest challenge in the competition and come away with a win.

 

"They'll look forward to coming to Adelaide … their confidence will be sky high.

 

"Getting our hands on the ball early and making sure we can control the game as best we possibly can [will be key]."

 

Twitter: @AFL_Harry