Why Power will be remembered as 'a group of chokers' if they lose on Friday night
Matthew Lloyd says that if Port Adelaide cannot overcome Hawthorn in their semi final on Friday night, they'll officially be labelled as "chokers".
It follows their 84-point mauling at the hands of Geelong at the Adelaide Oval in the qualifying final last Thursday night.
Now, coach Ken Hinkley not only has his own career to play for, but the weight and expectation of his fan base to prove his side can at least reach a preliminary final, after their second-placed finish in the regular season.
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It has left Lloyd concerned that if they cannot defeat the young Hawks, they'll receive a tag that will haunt this playing group forever.
"I remember what Mark Williams (2004 Power premiership coach) says about the 'choker' tag," Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
Ken Hinkley, coach of the Power after his side's loss to Geelong in the qualifying final. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"I think if they lose this game (to Hawthorn)... unfortunately for Ken Hinkley, they'll be known as a group of chokers.
"There's losing and then there's losing. And that was a bad, bad loss (to Geelong)."
Jimmy Bartel echoed Lloyd's fears, raising concerns that not a single good thing could be reviewed from their loss to Geelong.
"At this time of year, you need everyone in a positive mindset, especially after last Thursday night," he said.
"I walked away from that ground and there was not one single positive.
"That was a whole of coaching box (fail). That was one of the more average performances I've seen.
"If you walked down the street at Alberton, they could tell you how Geelong was playing. So, where was any plan? There was zero plan and zero alterations during the game.
"It was average across the board."
Connor Rozee of the Power leads his team off after their loss to Geelong. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Eddie McGuire urged the Power to grasp the pressure, despite their 2023 straight sets exit from exactly the same position.
"This is the moment in time for Port Adelaide. You can continue the 'never tear us apart' argument ... this is their moment," he said.
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"If they exist for premierships, this is the week."
If the Power go down on Friday night, it will be their fifth finals loss in a row.
The winner of their semi-final clash with the Hawks on Friday night will advance to an SCG preliminary final against Sydney.
