Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas has hit back at the critics and says the Power have what it takes to get their season back on track.
Port are priced at 13/1 to win the 2022 AFL grand final but have got the season off to a horror start when losing their opening two games.
Hawthorn disaster
But it was the shock 64-point loss to Hawthorn on Saturday night that really set alarm bells ringing.
The Hawks are not fancied to do too much this season as the rebuild continues, but they brushed aside Ken Hinkley’s men at the weekend.
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The defeat and the manner of it sparked suggestions from media pundits that the Power are no longer genuine flag contenders.
However Jonas has hit back and says they still have what it takes to push for glory in 2022.
"People say a lot of things and they will say some different things this week, I am sure," Jonas told reporters on Monday.
"But we have 24 months of hard work into this group. The connection space, the skills, the gameplan, we remain confident. Right now, we have to focus on what is not right and get back to playing good footy."
No excuses
Port are missing a host of star players, including Charlie Dixon, but Jonas says they are not using that as an excuse.
"We have shown in previous seasons that the squad mentality works for us," he added.
"Sometimes things do not go to plan but we pride ourselves on playing a team game rather than relying on individuals."
