A prelim berth seems to have duped a lot in football that the list is good, Hinkley can coach and the team is a finals threat with Ryder returning.
Not that long ago, they were close to being the next Fitzroy.
They are a real chance for bottom 4, the coach is under pressure and the list is looking pretty bare when their top 3 drop away.
While I would not say that Hinkley can't coach, I am very sceptical of any claim that he has implemented systems that have gotten the most out of the list at his disposal (which I think is the the real measure of quality coaches who do not win grand finals).
Port's list was never that bad which is supported by the reality that there was not wholesale changes between 2011 and 2014.
Those few decent years that Port had were built on maybe the most effective run and gun we have seen. No one thought that Knights could coach and Port was basically Essendon 2008 to 2010 but with a powerful, hard running midfield that could pull it off. Kudos to Hinkley for being astute enough to see what he had at his disposal but it's hardly tactical genius.
As soon as Port was running at anything less than less than full fitness within their best 24-26 they fell apart, and quickly. Contrast this with Hawthorn which has made plenty of average player look really good because all it does is ask these guys to play clearly defined roles in an effective structure.
In on sense Hinkley's reputation could be attributed to a 24 months good run with injuries. Their list is now in a strange position because they have spent up to bring in a lot of players who are in their mid-20s and they seem to be back at the drawing board because the other clubs have caught up with the physical advantages they had in 2013 and 2014.
I am probably still sucked in, I look at Port as being extremely dangerous.