A shocked Ken Hinkley says Port Adelaide have received a wake-up call after Essendon demolished them by 70 points at Etihad Stadium.
The Power were eyeing a return to the top four heading into Saturday night's clash but headed home to lick their wounds after they were comprehensively outplayed in the 19.17 (131) to 8.13 (61) loss in front of 34,022 fans.
"I'm shocked by the outcome, the performance, because I trust this group," Hinkley said.
"It just happens (sometimes) doesn't it? Football comes and goes 'Whack - cop that!'
"We were shown up in all parts of the game tonight ... that's the first time this year we've let ourselves down terribly.
"Essendon were pretty good, I've got no doubt about that, but we didn't offer much resistance.
"From our point of view it's just so far away from what we've been ... it's not just one or two weeks that we've been pretty consistent.
"We've been really honest and consistent for 10 out of 11 games, but gee tonight we got a real big wake-up call."
Port slipped to a 6-5 record with the loss, while the Bombers moved into the eight after they squared their season ledger at six wins and six losses.
Hinkley took some solace from the fact that every team in an even season has suffered a similar wake-up call, but warned a repeat performance would not be tolerated.
"My answer to that is it better be because you can't deliver that sort of performance and expect it's acceptable - it's not acceptable," he replied when asked if he thought the lifeless display was a one-off.
"(But) I reckon I'm going to back them and say that that's a little unusual for us.
"I'll back them in to respond."
The Power players will have the chance to redeem themselves against last-placed Brisbane at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
