Fifth place not death sentence
Records are made to be broken.
That was the message from defender Tom Jonas after Port Adelaide were relegated to a first elimination final against red-hot Richmond on Sunday following their eight-point loss to Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.
No team has come from outside the top four to win the premiership under the current finals system, but the Power are keen to change that after finishing fifth in their second season under Ken Hinkley.
"We have got a lot of confidence in the way we're playing at the moment," Jonas said.
"We feel like we're in some good form. We'll go into every game thinking we're a chance and never give up. We have got a lot of self- belief as a group."
Former Richmond speedster Matt White did not train yesterday, but Power teammate Brad Ebert backed him to face the Tigers.
White was substituted out of the match against Fremantle, although Hinkley insisted it was precautionary. Ebert said yesterday that White had pulled up "really well".
"He was subbed out purely ... to make sure he's right to go for the next few weeks coming," Ebert said.
The 27-year-old forms a key part of Port's running game.
His return from a groin injury in round 21 has coincided with an upswing in form for the club.
White injured a hamstring in the last round of the 2013 season, missing Richmond's elimination final loss the following weekend.
Aside from pace and the capacity to kick stunning goals, White will offer quality opposition analysis.
He played 105 games for the Tigers and Ebert said Port would use his knowledge.
"Of course. You obviously speak to Whitey about the players he's played with," Ebert said.
"Strengths, weaknesses and all that sort of stuff."
with Australian Associated Press
