Ken Hinkley knows there's still much to be done. Source: Wayne Ludbey / HeraldSun
PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley returns to work today to start a rapid two-day series of exit interviews with his recharged Power players.
And he needs to only point to the proposed AFL draw to underline his point that they face a tougher 2014.
Hinkley will finish the week with list-management meetings that already have the Power poised to seek a new key forward, more midfielders and a running defender. But the trade bait from Alberton is unlikely to concede popular forward John Butcher to find the third peg alongside Jay Schulz and Justin Westhoff.
Port's rise from 14th last year to fifth this season puts the Power in the frame for the toughest draw possible in its first year at the new Adelaide Oval. There will be five "double-up" games in Port's 22-game draw for the home-and-away season. As many as three of these matches could be against the four clubs ranked above the Power - Hawthorn, Fremantle, Sydney and Geelong.
While these blockbuster match-ups - and the promise of a return to Friday night football - is a bonus for the Power's commercial department, the draw puts the Port players on notice they cannot rest on this year's standards.
"We made it this year on the back of the hard work we put in," said Hinkley. "But the draw does change now ... by finishing in the top six, the draw becomes significantly harder for the teams we play twice.
"Now, we'll look forward to that challenge. I've said to the players, if we want to improve we have to recognise the mountain in front of us has just become bigger. And we have to grow with it. We have to work harder if we want to get to the top - and there is still a massive amount of work to do."
Port's search for a third key forward was dented by Norwood draftee Daniel Gorringe recently signing a two-year contract extension at Gold Coast. But the chase for midfielders is helped by Jared Polec quitting Brisbane to seek a return to SA.
Butcher, 22, played eight AFL games this season, as many as he managed in 2012.
"We definitely need a key forward who can stand up and help us - that is an area of real concern," said Hinkley. "John Butcher certainly has the talent. He just needs a better run avoiding injury.
"We have a lot of faith in John. But it is one area we have to look at.
"But we also drafted Mason Shaw (at No. 30 last year) who I am really excited about. He is going to be a big boy, 197cm and heavy. So he is going to supply us with something.
"In ruck we are strong with Matthew Lobbe and Jarrad Redden, who are exciting young ruckman. And we have Brent Renouf. But we probably need the fourth ruckman developing underneath."
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