While the Power's ability to come from behind late in matches has been astonishing this season, they have trailed at quarter-time in four of their six games.
North Melbourne booted seven goals to Port Adelaide's one in the opening term on Saturday, but the Power clawed back to within 10 points by the final siren.
In contrast, Richmond – the Power's round seven opponent – has won five of its six opening terms and is yet to lose one, having gone into the quarter-time break in round one level with Carlton.
Defender Alipate Carlile wasn't able to identify exactly why his side continued to start so slowly, but said the Power would need to be switched on early against a quick-starting Tigers outfit.
"Training intensity at the start of training is something that we're going to focus on this week – really get it going from there," Carlile said.
"They've got some really dangerous players – (Brett) Deledio, (Trent) Cotchin – you name it, they've got it.
"We'd obviously like to be 10 goals up at three-quarter time and go into the last with a bit of a lead but it hasn't been the case.
"We're going to have to be on the ball from the get-go this week and it's something we're going to be working on."
Carlile said the absence of coach Ken Hinkley from last Saturday's game had nothing to do with the club's first loss of the year, claiming acting coach Alan Richardson was "unreal".
Hinkley's senior coaching career began with five straight wins but a virus meant he was unable to fly to Tasmania with the team last Friday.
"'Richo' did a great job on game day and the days leading up to it, he was unreal. I couldn't fault him," Carlile said.
"We spoke about (Hinkley's absence) as a group and no one really noticed it to be honest.
"We just wanted to go about our business as we'd normally do."
The Power were also without key defender Jackson Trengove for the contest but while it was a shorter backline than usual, Carlile said they coped.
"We did pretty well to cover (Trengove), I thought. Campbell Heath did a really good job defensively," he said.
"Having Cam O'Shea back there helped out with height because he's a pretty tall lad himself."
The Power's defence could receive a boost ahead of Saturday afternoon's clash with the Tigers, with Jasper Pittard to be assessed at training.
Pittard has missed the past two weeks with a strained hip flexor but the club said he was a chance to return this weekend.
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.
