PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is bracing for Gold Coast's players to fly the proverbial flag of support for their coach Stuart Dew.
Dew this week blasted reports he was facing the axe ahead of the Suns' clash against Port on Saturday.
Hinkley has been in similar positions over his 11-year tenure and knows the effect the speculation could have on players.
"Everyone talks around the word connection in football now ... it's actually real," Hinkley told reporters on Friday.
"You don't work together like we do for as many hours of a year and not have a real connection and you feel for anyone who's put under unfair pressure.
"And that's what happens, you do work to support - whether that's a coach, a player, administrator or anyone within your footy club - that's just what you do."
But Hinkley said the controversy around the 11th-placed Suns, who are one win outside the top eight, hadn't put his second-placed club on higher alert than normal heading into the Adelaide Oval fixture.
"The reality is we're wary of every team that we play against and particularly teams who are challenging and trying to make the top eight," he said.
"You know at this time of the season there's some desperation that comes out when teams are in the fight of their lives, they give everything they've got.
"Gold Coast, I expect that that's what they'll bring. We understand what the challenge will look like."
Port has recalled ruckman Sam Hayes for his first AFL game since May 29 last year.
With first-choice ruck Scott Lycett sidelined by a knee injury, Hayes has been summoned to battle Gold Coast's imposing co-captain Jarrod Witts.
"Sam has been playing at a really high level at SANFL level," Hinkley said.
"We think he is the best equipped of our rucks this week that are available to go up against a really strong competitor in Witts.
"That's why we have got great faith in Sam. What I have loved is he has worked really hard every game to try and get himself back to this opportunity."
The Power, on a 12-game winning streak, have also recalled Junior Rioli and Lachie Jones while Gold Coast star Touk Miller returns from a knee injury for his first match since round six.
