Port face 'Dogs challenge in AFL

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says the Western Bulldogs' upset win over Collingwood shows what they can produce in the AFL.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says the Western Bulldogs will pose a significant challenge. (AAP)

First against 13th is suddenly a tricky assignment for Port Adelaide in Saturday's home AFL match against the Western Bulldogs.

The Power will still start favourites, but the Bulldogs will fancy their chances after last week's major upset win over Collingwood.

Port also have lost their past seven games against the 'Dogs and last beat them in 2006.

Then there is the loss of frontline Port players Hamish Hartlett (ankle), Dom Cassisi (knee) and Jarman Impey (soreness).

Power coach Ken Hinkley and his Bulldogs counterpart Brendan McCartney worked together as assistant coaches at Geelong and Hinkley knows what is coming.

"Last week was a great reminder for us what they're capable of," Hinkley said.

"Knowing Macca well ... he'll have them ready to play and it will be a significant challenge.

"Their recent history against us is really strong, so we need to make sure we can turn that around."

Hinkley said Hartlett and Impey were close to being available.

But he also stressed they were not being rested ahead of next week's massive local Showdown clash.

"That's (something) I will ever do ... I'm interested in picking the best team to play this week," Hinkley said.

"We've said all year, we're not going to take any risk."

While the Bulldogs' big win over Collingwood was unexpected, Hinkley said he was not too surprised.

"Their form has been not as bad as some people would like to look at it," he said.

"They've had patches where they've led games by four goals and just haven't been able to complete the task.

"You just get a little bit of confidence and you get that in games sometimes."

By contrast, Hinkely dismissed talk that there were plenty of positives that Port could take from the pulsating match against the Swans.

"We lost - that's not a great effort," he said.

"A great effort is when you win."

Hinkley wants his team to tighten up defensively, noting Sydney nearly scored 100 points against them.

While Port are top, they are fourth on the ladder in points against behind Fremantle, Sydney and Colllingwood.

"If we concede 98 points most weeks, we're going to get beaten," Hinkley said.


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