PORT Adelaide's 63-point win over St Kilda on Sunday adds fuel to the faint flame of its finals hopes - the Power are refusing to give up on the unlikeliest of September berths.
The Power still sit 12th on the ladder, behind Collingwood on percentage, but an upset win over the Western Bulldogs next Saturday would see them draw ever closer to the top eight.
Coach Ken Hinkley wasn't thrilled with his side's form on Sunday, but praised its competitiveness over the past month.
He said the club would keep pushing and let destiny work itself out.
Click here for Ken Hinkley's full post-match media conference
"Our last month we've won three and lost one and we lost it by one kick, so we've been pretty competitive," Hinkley said.
"We know we've given up scores the last couple of weeks and haven't been playing perfect football but sometimes you've just got to grind your way back into form.
"This side's doing what we said we'd do – we're not going to give up, we're going to keep trying as hard as we possibly can and we're going to grind away and see what happens."
The result flattered the Power in the end, with just over half the game being played in St Kilda's forward half.
The Saints failed to make use of 18 inside 50s in the second term and the final count was locked at 52 apiece.
Hinkley said Port's inability to restrict opposition ball movement highlighted its true form.
"I think it's probably a handful of entries too much the other way for us … our best we'd probably say it's 54 to 45," he said.
"That's probably the slight measure where we're not quite at the top of our game."
Chad Wingard booted another four goals, taking his tally to 42, the third year in a row he's kicked at least 40 goals.
He's also kicked at least three goals in each of his past eight games and is surely in strong contention for All Australian selection.
Hinkley agreed that Wingard had been in incredible touch this year, but was quick to point out that it meant little if the team could not win consistently.
"Chad's own performance has been quite sensational to be honest, but we're about the team … and the team results says we're not as good as we were," he said.
"Chad's form is an individual thing, this footy club's all about team."
