Hinkley keeps a lid on ‘silly talk’ of a Port flag

Power skipper Travis Boak is ready to flick the switch when Port plays reigning premiers Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has labelled predictions of a premiership this season as "silly talk'' because it is so premature as the Power prepares to play Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Hinkley, whose team is on top of the ladder with a 7-1 record, said the Power had not yet earned the right to consider itself in the same elite category as Hawthorn and Geelong.

He also hosed down the fact that bookmakers have installed Port as the favourite with odds last night having Port at $1.50 and Hawthorn at $2.50.

"We're trying to become something like along the Hawthorns, the Geelongs, the Sydney's of the world,'' Hinkley said.

"We've got miles to go.

"Whether you're expected to win or not expected to win — we don't set those markers.

"We know we've got to go in there and play at our absolute best no matter who we play, whether we're playing Hawthorn or a side that's not highly-ranked on the ladder.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson denies claims his side is undermanned and have been forced into rushing stars back from injury, claiming he will send out a side this weekend more than capable of defeating Port Adelaide.

"You're two or three per cent off, they're two or three per cent of and she's game on no matter who you're playing or where you're playing.

"Having had that little part of me that likes to have a little punt now and then — not on football — I know that's risky to take any notice of who's favourite and who's not favourite.

"It doesn't work out that way that often. I think it means very little.''

Hinkley doesn't mind the fact that the fans are hoping for a September triumph. But he believed it was far too early to start talking about which team looked like a flag fancy.

"It's round 10 tomorrow (Saturday) night,'' Hinkley said.

"It's silly talk because you've got to play well tomorrow (Saturday) night and that's all we've got to control.

"My comments have been, 'Why not?' (but) at the right time. But we know that it's about round 10 and hard work.

"At the end of the year this will be the same message. I said at the start of last year that we weren't going to set any limits on our group and we're not setting any limits on our group this year either.

"Internally we're okay. There are no problems internally. We know how hard and tough this competition is. Externally, we can't control it.''

Hinkley has warned his players Hawthorn remains as dangerous as ever despite injuries to several star players.

Hinkley pointed to the Hawks' Round 10 inclusions, among them Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell, and stressed few sides had as much depth as the Hawks.

Nothing but the Power's best would take them over the line at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night despite the club being installed as favourites by the bookmakers.

"They're a great side and they'll come out and play really strong footy,'' Hinkley said.

"Look at the players they've brought in.

"It's not too weakened. They've got some injuries but everybody's got injuries. They'll come and compete; that's why they've been on top for such a long time.

"They've got great depth. I think Box Hill is nearly undefeated in the VFL. They're a great side and they've got great depth to call on.

"We've got to play at our absolute best and we've been able to do that consistently so far this year.

"If we're a little bit off our game we're going to find ourselves in horrible trouble against the Hawks. We're going to have to come and play at our defensive best.''

Ruckman Matthew Lobbe, who missed the Power's last match with calf soreness, trained well this morning and has been cleared to return.

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