KEN Hinkley said there was evidence of "progress" in Port Adelaide's 21-point win over Carlton on Saturday despite conceding his side wasn't "overly impressive" in the MCG clash. 

The Power looked to be in control in the second quarter when they kicked out to a 25-point lead, but a scoreless third stanza meant they led by just two at the final change. 

They booted five goals to two to round out the game, which secured their fourth straight win, but it wasn't as convincing a performance as it should have been from a team circling the top four. 

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"We weren't overly impressive. We know that. But then you get a bit disrespectful to the opposition because there were a couple of players out there that were pretty good for them," Hinkley said afterwards. 

"Always in this caper, you're just happy to get the four points and look for some positives, you look for some growth and that's what we'll do again this week.

"I suppose we've been really consistent for a good period of time, which is good.

"With every game you play, you don't always get it the way you want it, but we've been able to find ways to win, which is really important."

Hinkley found positives in the continuing good form of "old fella" Justin Westhoff and the solid return of Jack Trengove to AFL level, with the former Demon looking comfortable in an unfamiliar half-back role. 

While he admitted to concerns at three-quarter time after the Blues kicked 2.5 to 0.0 for the term, he felt they were still tracking forward from where they were two years ago. 

"There's definitely been progress. We've matured a bit and credit to Carlton too, they played some really strong footy and they have for four or five weeks, they've had one bad half and everyone has gone a little bit crazy on them," he said. 

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"We had to work our way and keep fighting because there seemed to be quite a scoring end advantage by the scoreboard, so when we took our turn, we were able to score enough.

"The conditions made it a little bit slippery at times, a little bit tougher … we were OK, we weren't great."

It was the Power's first win over Carlton at the MCG since 2005, and also their first of two hit-outs at the ground for this season. 

Their next game at the iconic venue is scheduled for round 22 against Collingwood. 

"Nah, [it's not ideal]," Hinkley said of their MCG scheduling.

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"But we take every opportunity we get though, it's good to get here and play, we've got one more game here before the end of the year so we look forward to that opportunity, everyone does.

"Everyone loves coming to the 'G and playing football, no matter what side you're on."

Hinkley said there were "no more than normal" concerns over the fitness of Paddy Ryder despite the ruckman spending a large portion of the third quarter on the bench and appearing hobbled at times. 

Todd Marshall was hampered by a sore shoulder than needed treatment during the game, while Jasper Pittard came off late in the game with hamstring tightness but should be fine for Saturday's clash with St Kilda.

He also said there was no guarantee Darcy Byrne-Jones would be called up to face the Saints after the defender was axed from the team this week for being late to training. 

"He's a pretty good player. He's got to play tomorrow [in the SANFL] and hopefully he plays well, and him and [Tom] Jonas will hopefully be seriously considered for us next week," he said. 

"But when the boys who played today win … they deserve the opportunity to be thought of first."