PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has a warning for the rest of the competition after the Power steamrolled Carlton on Sunday night: when you play his side, be prepared to run for as hard and long as you can.
Port trailed the Blues by six points at three-quarter time at Etihad Stadium before unleashing a seven-goal-to-one final term to run out convincing 33-point victors.
Hinkley said after the match that the Power had supreme confidence in their fitness and appetite for hard work.
"100 per cent honest. We're just a great running team. Teams know they're going to play against a hard-running Port Adelaide," Hinkley said after the come-from-behind victory.
"We're going to make it a tough day. If you come and play against Port Adelaide, then you're going to have to run. And you're going to have to run really hard for four quarters."
Recruit Jared Polec personifies the Power's desire for hard-running endurance athletes.
Traded from the Brisbane Lions to Port Adelaide during last year's exchange period, the 21-year-old was challenged as soon as he arrived at Alberton.
Against the Blues, Polec displayed his new-found running power. The No. 5 pick at the 2010 NAB AFL Draft collected 24 possessions, six inside 50s and booted a poised long-range goal, adding another layer to an already burgeoning Power onball brigade.
"I'm really pleased by the way he's come to the club but I'm more pleased about what he's done off the footy field," Hinkley said of Polec after the match.
"He's worked really, really hard. He's bought into Port Adelaide's style of football and training and good luck to him, he's played really well tonight."
It was no coincidence Polec and young teammate Ollie Wines were leading the way when the Power found themselves trailing at quarter, half and three-quarter time.
Wines finished with 29 disposals (19 contested), 11 clearances, nine tackles and kicked two goals in a stunning display in just his second year of AFL football.
"Ollie's been pretty strong for us. He's a young man who just wants to be very, very good," Hinkley said.
Port's leaders – after being challenged by Hinkley at half-time – eventually stood up to catapult their side to a fast-finishing win.
But it was Polec and Wines who showed their experienced teammates the path forward when the chips were down.
Hinkley said Polec's maturation could be put down to one simple reason.
"There's a wonderful thing called being happy, I reckon," Hinkley said.
"He's home, he's really comfortable and he enjoys the environment that he's in because he's at home and that's the main thing."
