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AAP
AAP
Sport
Steve Larkin

Port clinging to finals lifeline: Hinkley

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is still thinking about finals football despite their poor start. (AAP)

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been around long enough to know an AFL season throws up "stupid" and "crazy" things.

And he's banking on the madness continuing in the late stages of this season as the Power chase an unlikely finals berth.

Hinkley's Power sit in 12th spot, two wins outside the top eight, ahead of Saturday night's home clash against GWS.

With six games remaining, Hinkley knows it's tight but says Port still believe they have a finals lifeline.

"Of course we do because footy does stupid things, footy does crazy things at any stage," Hinkley told reporters on Friday.

"And you're never sure.

"Five weeks ago it (the premiership) was Melbourne's, they couldn't lose it - it's not the case any more.

"And in five weeks' time it will be someone else's turn. Last night it was Geelong.

"Footy does crazy things ... I have seen it. Things happen from nowhere in this game and they just keep happening."

Hinkley's 10th season as Port's coach began with five consecutive losses, since they have won seven and lost three games.

"We are getting better, we are getting closer ... we have lost to Richmond, Freo and Geelong - they're going okay," he said.

"Our biggest problem has been, and still is creating us problems, is clearly our start.

"Living in the now ... we are in a position where we have to be that way.

"Our focus is going to stay narrow and is going to stay on the game that is coming up immediately."

Hinkley remained on alert about his club's task against a Giants side in 15th spot and with a 3-3 win-loss record under caretaker coach Mark McVeigh.

"They have got that period of freedom going on a little bit," Hinkley said of GWS.

"And they're playing some risk-free (footy) in their offense and they're a really dangerous team - they have got such talent around the ball and forward of the ball, they can put a score on anyone.

"They are certainly playing slightly differently ... they have certainly changed their game style."

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