KEN HINKLEY is hoping his substantial knowledge of Geelong's home ground will offer Port Adelaide an advantage when the sides meet on Saturday.
Hinkley played 121 games at Geelong and spent four seasons there as an assistant coach.
As well as Hinkley, the Power have former Cats champion Garry Hocking as an assistant coach.
This will be the first time Hinkley has returned to the Cattery as a senior AFL coach.
He said Simonds Stadium was an unusual ground that often offered the home side a unique advantage.
"There is some stuff in the ground I reckon that catches some sides out at times," Hinkley said.
"Having been there and having spent a long period of my time there, we used to talk about that when we'd plan for games.
"We've got great knowledge of that ground with myself and 'Buddha' (Garry Hocking).
"It's a much skinnier ground … you only have to look at the logos when you watch it on television you can see how close they are to the boundary line."
Hinkley was an assistant coach at Geelong when it began its incredible home record in 2007.
The Power's win over the Cats just before the 2007 finals campaign was one of only two losses the side has suffered at home since – its last was to the Sydney Swans in round 23, 2011.
Although they lost to the Cats by 48 points in round nine, the Power stuck with them for the last three quarters.
If his side was to have any hope of success, Hinkley said a four-quarter effort was absolutely vital.
"I was there when that [run at home] started … it started from a side that actually wasn't doing that all the time and at some stage hopefully that's going to swing again," he said.
"Early on in [round nine] they had kicked 3.1 and we'd kicked four behinds … then we were right behind the eight ball.
"We just can't afford to drop off for two or three minutes against Geelong."
Running defender Nathan Blee will play his first AFL game of the season; replacing the injured Paul Stewart who broke his wrist last weekend.
Blee has been in eye-catching form for North Adelaide in the SANFL and has managed to to hit the scoreboard, kicking four goals in his last three games.
Hinkley said the 22-year-old's versatility meant that while his main objective would be to help out in the Power's defence, he could be floated through the midfield and even used in attack.
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry
