PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is tipping his young side will maintain its hot form throughout the second half of the season.
The Power stunned the competition with an undefeated opening five rounds last season, before dropping the next five games and then battling back into the top eight.
But the club's win over reigning premier Hawthorn on Saturday night was proof it had matured greatly in 12 months.
The Power withstood a determined push from the Hawks late in the third term to seal their eighth win of the year and equal their longest winning streak (six games) since their 2004 premiership year in the process.
Hinkley refused to use the term 'real deal' when describing his side, but said he didn't question its ability.
"We're a good team, there's no doubt," Hinkley said.
"But again, we also know, week-in, week-out that you have to [be at your best] and that's why Geelong, Sydney, Hawthorn, Freo end up at the top most years.
"Right now I'm happy that we're working really well in that area and we're absolutely able to turn up most games and give ourselves a genuine chance.
"We've learned a lot and a lot of that means your output is pretty consistent … the highs are perhaps not as high sometimes and the lows are not quite as low."
Saturday night also marked a record crowd in South Australia since it became part of the AFL in 1991.
The crowd of 52,233 bettered the previous best of 51,140 at a Showdown in round five, 2003 at AAMI Stadium.
"We asked them (the crowd) all week to come along and help us out and they are playing their part, they are playing their part amazingly well," he said.
"I just spoke to the boys 'what was that like?’ And they just said 'fantastic – make sure we thank the crowd'."
In sour news for the club though, ruckman Brent Renouf appeared to seriously injure his knee on Saturday while playing for Port's SANFL team.
Renouf was stretchered off and Hinkley said it looked as though his season was over, leaving Matthew Lobbe the club's only fit ruckman.
Lobbe played 81 per cent of the match against the Hawks and Hinkley said his workload was unlikely to ease simply because he was the last big man at the coach's disposal.
"He's a workhorse, that's what probably provides his best form is when he's able to work really long and hard and tough the whole game," he said.
"There might be opportunities at the right time that you can perhaps give him a little less game time, I don't know, but right now sitting here I'd say [he won't be managed]."
