Port Adelaide are spooked, coach Ken Hinkley says.
And not just from suffering an almighty fright from lowly Melbourne before scraping a three-point AFL win on Sunday.
Port snapped a three-game losing streak with a 10.12 (72) to 10.9 (69) victory at Adelaide Oval.
The Power farewelled retiring stalwart Dom Cassisi as a winner, but only just - forward Jay Schulz, from a tight angle, slotted a pressure-cooked match-winning goal with less than two minutes remaining.
While content to bank a win, Hinkley concedes the Power's spark and run has disappeared under increasing heat from opposition clubs.
"We are feeling the pressure ... we have just got a little spooked," Hinkley said.
"We're not as brave as we want to be. But that is something that can come back.
"We started the journey about trying to get a little bit of respect - we got a bit of respect back. But when you get some respect back, you get a bit more attention.
"The next part for us is to be able to handle that."
Port's win was just their second in five games, coinciding with a slide from top spot to fifth.
Their nail biting triumph was largely created by the midfield exploits of Robbie Gray (26 disposals, eight clearances) and Ollie Wines (26 touches, seven clearances), and the influence of utility Justin Westhoff (21 possessions, two goals).
And while Hinkley acknowledged a batch of his players were struggling to find form, he praised the tenacity of Melbourne, who appeared headed for a heavy loss when five goals down midway through the second quarter.
But the Demons, inspired by midfielders Nathan Jones (31 disposals) and Dom Tyson (32 touches, two goals), rallied with the next six goals.
And with two minutes remaining, the visitors were on the verge of a boilover and clinging to a three-point lead, only for Port's Schulz to produce the game-defining moment.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos lamented some basic blunders in an error-riddled encounter, but praised the spirit of his players.
"Overall it was a terrific effort ... that is the sort of standard that we want to try and set," Roos said.
"It's a massive step forward for us as a footy club, there is no question.
"To come over here (Adelaide Oval) twice and to play Adelaide and beat them, and play Port and lose by three points, we have come an enormous way as a club."
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