Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has dared his players to stop their slump by bravely attacking Geelong on Saturday.
After winning their initial five games, the Power have lost three in a row heading into their home game against the Cats.
“We have got to be brave enough,” Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.
“We have got to make sure that we execute the skill.
“This game is getting harder to play. If you go too safe you’re going to get hemmed in and not get anywhere with the footy, we have got to be prepared to take the game on.”
Port will rest first-year forward Jake Neade for the AAMI Stadium match and lose ex-captain Dom Cassisi to a hamstring strain.
Cassisi’s forced absence weakens a defence already missing Jackson Trengove (foot) and Jasper Pittard (hip).
“We have been stretched in that area, we have had some injuries that we prefer we not have, but every club has them and it just gives opportunities to other people to come in,” Hinkley said.
The first-year Port coach said three consecutive defeats hadn’t harmed confidence of his young playing group.
“We haven’t been that far off,” he said of losses to Carlton (18 points), Richmond (41 points) and North Melbourne (10 points).
“But our form has slipped, there is no doubt about it.
“That is a bit to do with the opposition, it has got a bit to do with us. We have just got to make sure we control our bit as much as we possibly can and be ready for the opposition.
“It’s a really good test for us. We have played some good sides already and Geelong are another one of those good sides … they are going to provide us a different test.”