PORT Adelaide will employ a special tactic at defensive stoppages this season in a bid to eradicate the costly mistake that saw them exit last year's finals series.
The Power suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss in extra time to West Coast in last year's elimination final at Adelaide Oval, after Eagle Luke Shuey kicked a goal after the siren from a free kick for a high tackle.
A searching review in the ensuing days revealed the Power hadn't set up properly at the stoppage just before the free kick to Shuey, and defender Hamish Hartlett says the Power playing group have vowed to not let the error happen again.
"I know now every time there is a back stoppage in our defensive 50 there will be a particular call that is called out to remind guys of that particular moment," Hartlett told RSN radio on Friday.
"It's an area of the game, defensive stoppages, that we think we're pretty good at but we need some tightening up on.
"We did watch that vision a couple of days later and reflected on who was doing things well, who wasn't and who was really desperate to stop that goal.
"That was a really tough meeting to sit in on but the boys learnt their lessons, I think. I doubt you'll see a similar result again in those types of circumstances."
Another key focus for Ken Hinkley's men over the pre-season was to improve the connection between the midfield and attack.
The Power ranked 16th for their ability to retain possession once they entered attacking 50 while being No.1 for time in forward half differential and second for forward-half intercepts, and Hartlett believes the glaring deficiency was costing the side games.
"The thing we've been working on first and foremost has been our connection from our midfield to our forward line," he said.
"In a lot of games last year that we felt we dominated time in our forward half, time in possession, inside 50s and shots on goal – the really key stats of the game.
"We felt like there lots of games we had control over but didn’t capitalise and lost a couple of games we shouldn't have."
Despite life after footy still being a few years off, the 27-year-old will spend time in the cricket commentary box on Friday calling the action between his native South Australia and Victoria in the Sheffield Shield competition.
A self-confessed cricket tragic, Hartlett has called on rival viewers to critique his assessment of the game.
"I did a session a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it because I'm a bit of a cricket nuffy, know a fair bit about cricket and follow it really strongly," Hartlett said.
"For any of you Victorian listeners who might tune in, you might hear a familiar voice on there, so let me know how I go.
"I'd love some feedback."
