McGuire expressed fury that that his side might only have a six-day break between the elimination final and a semi-final, but Port Adelaide ended that debate by ending Collingwood's season.
"It was a pretty big kick in the guts, them thinking onwards to next week," said Port's three-goal forward Chad Wingard after the 12.15 (87) to 9.9 (63) win.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd, a Channel Nine commentator, said on Sunday: "Eddie would be really embarrassed after those comments looking two weeks ahead."
Port onballer Hamish Hartlett made no secret of the Power's willingness to seize on the doubts of the outside world to motivate them.
"That has pretty much been our mentality all year because ever since round one no one has really rated us," Hartlett told AAP on Saturday night at the MCG.
"All year we've been about earning the respect of the competition back.
"Even in the lead-up to this game again no one really gave us a chance even though we did beat them earlier on in the year.
"We love going out there and being the underdog and proving people wrong and we did it again so it's been great."
Port will be underdogs again next Friday night in a knockout semi-final clash with Geelong at the MCG.
"It's going to be another incredible experience," said Hartlett, a 67-game veteran recruited from West Adelaide.
"We haven't played Friday night footy at all this year so it's a good time to do it."
