PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley will fall asleep on Saturday night with pride in his team restored after its 21-point win over Greater Western Sydney.

Hinkley criticised the playing group's effort in last weekend's loss to the Western Bulldogs but had no such complaint against the Giants.

Five talking points: Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney

Combined with the club's one-point, come-from-behind win on Friday night, Hinkley said the AFL side's win made for a "pretty proud 24 hours".

"We know we haven't had obviously a great year but we just wanted to make sure we stood up and played some tougher footy and just stayed in the contest," Hinkley said.

WATCH: Ken Hinkley's full post-match media conference

"I thought tonight was a really positive sign for us.

"They challenged us and we haven't been able to respond to that challenge for most of the year and tonight we stood up really well.

"I watched the (Port Adelaide) Magpies last night, six goals down at half-time (and they did) not give up and I watched the AFL boys today play football where they were challenged a number of times and not give up."

Patrick Ryder played his best game for the club, winning a season-high 17 disposals and 46 hit-outs in the absence of Matthew Lobbe.

Lobbe was dropped to the SANFL and amassed a staggering 64 hit-outs in front of the coach on Friday night.

Hinkley and the Power's playing group remain fully confident the pair will jell and perform together in the senior side.

"[Ryder] was certainly very good for us today but I'm sure he'd be just as good with ‘Lobes’ in the side and helping him out," he said.

"You need them both to be in good form and we haven't had that, we know that."

Hinkley said Saturday's performance set the bar in terms of effort for the remaining three games of the season.

Port won contested possession (144-130), the tackle count (72-66) and inside 50s (63-43).

The club faces Hawthorn next Friday night, then travels to take on Gold Coast before hosting Fremantle in round 23.