Port Adelaide will have to defy history to qualify for this year's AFL finals series, but their under-pressure coach Ken Hinkley remains confident they can feature in September.
Only one team has made the top eight from an 0-4 start since 2000, and if Port Adelaide want to make the finals for a third successive year, they'll have to become the second.
"Why not? We haven't had everything the way we've (liked to) have, but it's a long season," Hinkley said after the Power's 32-point loss to Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
"I get that people question my belief, but I'm strong in it - I think we can absolutely move forward and improve quickly."
But to turn things around, the Power will need avoid offensive performances like the one they produced against the Demons as they were held to their first goalless half since entering the AFL in 1997.
"I never want to play in games of football where we don't score goals ... it's not a title we want," Hinkley said.
"No-one is more frustrated than us, and we understand the fans' frustration because they want their team to be playing well.
"Our players and our coaching staff and our whole football club will stick together and work really hard to make sure we quickly get back on track somewhere close to what they would love us to be playing like.
"We're desperate for it to turn around.
"I know it can be hard to accept, but we're working towards making us better quickly and hanging in there.
"At the moment, we're hanging in there in a position we'd much rather not be in."
Port Adelaide could get a boost to their scoring potency for their next match against Carlton with star veteran Robbie Gray almost certain to be available after being forced out of the meeting with the Demons due to entering COVID protocols.
But it's unclear whether Trent McKenzie (knee) or Scott Lycett (shoulder) will take on the Blues.
McKenzie was a late withdrawal while Lycett hurt himself in the second quarter, although he managed to play out the game.
"Talk about being in the wars, Trent has been in them," Hinkley said.
"He's had another little incident somewhere between last week's game and getting ready to play this week and it looks like his knee's not quite right, so we'll investigate that further."
Star Power midfielder Ollie Wines was sent to hospital as a precaution after feeling ill during the game and being subbed out at halftime.
