PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is on edge.
He has noted this week's intense hammering of Friday night's AFL foes North Melbourne – and it makes him nervous.
"We have been through that ourselves a number of times, so we understand the pressure that puts on you," Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.
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"But we understand the response you typically give. And we are ready for North Melbourne's absolute best."
North have copped an off-field battering to accompany their on-field woes – they're bottom of the ladder with a lone win after five matches.
Kangaroos greats Wayne Carey and David King are among those teeing off on Brad Scott's team in the wake of its listless start to the season.
"What was the expectation of North Melbourne at the start of the year, only five, six weeks ago?" Hinkley said.
"They had recruited really well, they had a great year last year, they expect to play finals this year.
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"It's five rounds in, they haven't quite got their form where they would like it to but we prepare for their best performance."
North recruit Jared Polec will face his former team for the first time in the AFL after Port couldn't match a cashed-up offer for the winger, but Hinkley said his inside knowledge of Polec wouldn't make him easier to combat.
"We miss him, there's no doubt about that but ... Jared tomorrow becomes an opposition player," he said.
"He is a pretty good player, that is a challenge, that is what we do know about him.
"You can have the best plans in the world sometimes, but good players tend to be able to play good when you're doing everything you possibly can to stop them.
"Our challenge tomorrow night is not just to stop him but to stop, obviously, the North Melbourne team."
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Polec can expect a hostile reception from Port fans during the Adelaide Oval encounter.
"I will boo, if they want me to," a smiling Hinkley said.
"That happens in footy, it's part of the tribal thing that goes on.
"We protect our team and we give it to the opposition when we can, and when someone leaves that is just what happens.
"I don't think there's anything too wrong with that ... it's footy."
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