"There comes a time where you say 'We're playing OK' or 'No, we're not playing OK at the moment', and we've certainly got a lot of work to do to improve. We've got to get back to work really quickly," the Power coach said after the 20-point loss to unfancied Richmond at Etihad Stadium.

"When you start to improve, people start to acknowledge that you've improved, and then when you start to show a few little cracks they come after you."

After round 12 Port held a two-match buffer atop the ladder. Its results since then - one win in five matches - have put its top-four position in peril.

Hinkley lamented its form pattern was starting to resemble 2013, when its dashing start was undermined by losing five consecutive matches thereafter.

"Hopefully we've had our little 'down time' in the season and the boys get a real sting in the tail. I've seen a little bit of it but I don't think they've realised and been honest enough to say 'There's some stuff not quite right with what we're doing'. Hopefully today they go away and say 'No, we've got to get this right'," Hinkley said.

"You've got to make sure you own your position [on the ladder]. We haven't owned our position for the past month."