Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is ignoring Fremantle’s finals permutations ahead of Sunday’s fixture in Perth – a game they must win if they want any chance at keeping their finals hopes alive.
Hinkley says it’s too dangerous to do otherwise ahead of the last match of the AFL’s home-and-away season.
Can the Dockers keep the finals dream alive? Their next game is their most important yet this season. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Port will likely retain second spot with a win over the Dockers, who are relying on other results to fall their way to have a sniff of reaching the playoffs.
By the time the teams run on to Optus Stadium, Freo – who enter the round in ninth spot just two premiership points shy of eighth spot – will know their fate.
Fremantle need Hawthorn, Carlton or the Western Bulldogs to lose to have a chance of making the finals - which Hinkley says is irrelevant to Port.
“We will prepare like we have every other week for this game, to make sure we bring our best and play our best available people to hopefully stay in really good form,” he said.
“I have been really strong on that with the whole group, and for everyone, that we stay in the moment.
“The moment is we’ve got to play Fremantle, a really good team, on their home deck.”
Hinkley will also know by first bounce if the Power need a win to lock second spot and a home qualifying final.