Port Adelaide has once again failed on the big stage.
An 84-point thumping from Geelong at Adelaide Oval was the latest disappointing blip on Ken Hinkley's track record.
Since Hinkley took over ahead of the 2013 season, the Power have won five of 13 encounters but lost their past four miserably.
Three of those defeats came at their home ground, to the tune of 59 points (on average), while Brisbane demolished Port Adelaide at the Gabba last year.
โI can appreciate that question because they're the facts, and I always deal in facts,โ Hinkley replied when asked if his side's poor showing in finals in recent years had become a mental issue.
โThe reality is we believe the group are better than that, but for the next 24 hours, we have to live with that performance.
โWe have to live with the fact that our last three or four finals haven't been at the level we need them to be.
โThose questions come about once the game turns badly."
Statistically, it was an onslaught from start to finish, albeit the inside 50 count (53-57) rings similar.
The Power could not assert dominance through the hit-out differential (58-32) and couldn't withstand the pressure, turning the ball over much more than the season average.
As a result, Geelong were able to capitalise on scores from stoppage (75 points to 21) and turnover (56 to 32).
Hinkley said Port Adelaide had no choice but to move on quickly ahead of another match at Adelaide Oval, with either the Western Bulldogs or Hawthorn making the trip.
"The season suggests we've been better than that consistently. We have not turned up in a final and played the way we wanted to, that's fact," Hinkley said.
"It's not one individual, but there's a figurehead, and I sit in that spot.
"We've got to go back to what we think is more like us. Our last five or six weeks, we haven't been like that.
"I try to look at things in a positive way as best as I can.
