EARNING respect from the competition was the mantra pushed at Port Adelaide during the pre-season.
Annihilating Melbourne in their first clash on Sunday, recording a 79-point victory – the Power made a strong opening statement.
It was their first win against the Demons at the MCG since 2007 and Ken Hinkley's first win as coach.
"Every time you want to go out you want to make a small statement, or take a small step in the right direction of where you're trying to go as a football club," Hinkley said.
"We know that there's going to be days where it didn't go as good as today for us, but as long as we come out and play the same way with the same effort I think we'll end up getting some of that respect back."
Hinkley has brought an honest and upfront approach to the Power in his first season at the helm. Off-field, the club has stabilised - appointing David Koch as chairman, Keith Thomas as CEO and signing with major sponsor Renault.
he Power coach said Sunday's game was a culmination of hard work put in by the club.
"I was really proud of the whole club. We've had to build up from a pretty low base and we've had that summer where things have gone our way," Hinkley said.
"Then to come out and play the way we played today, that just backs all that up.
"That's important … on-field is the most important part of any football club and we got that pretty right today."
Debutant Ollie Wines paid credit to high performance manager Darren Burgess for the team's endurance.
"Once we got up, their heads dropped a little bit, like most teams," Wines said.
"When we did sense their heads down, we really went for it and went for the throat. ??
"Credit to our boys for running the game out. Darren Burgess (has) come on board and (has us) really fit and it allows us to run those games out and that's a big advantage for us."
Wines, the seventh pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, was superb, notching 24 disposals, seven marks and a goal.
The Power face a six-day break ahead of their first home match against Greater Western Sydney next week.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter- @AFL_BenGuthrie
"Then to come out and play the way we played today, that just backs all that up.
"That's important … on-field is the most important part of any football club and we got that pretty right today."
Debutant Ollie Wines paid credit to high performance manager Darren Burgess for the team's endurance.
"Once we got up, their heads dropped a little bit, like most teams," Wines said.
"When we did sense their heads down, we really went for it and went for the throat. ??
"Credit to our boys for running the game out. Darren Burgess (has) come on board and (has us) really fit and it allows us to run those games out and that's a big advantage for us."
Wines, the seventh pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, was superb, notching 24 disposals, seven marks and a goal.
The Power face a six-day break ahead of their first home match against Greater Western Sydney next week.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter- @AFL_BenGuthrie
