Eagle-eyed fan spots funny detail in AFL coach's box

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has taken caffeine hits to the next level after being called out over a hilarious scenario during his side's loss to Melbourne on Thursday night.

Hinkley may need something stronger than caffeine after his side once again failed to silence the criticism about their inability to beat the best teams, slumping to a 12.14 (86) to 8.7 (55) loss against the AFL ladder-leaders.

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The loss represented the Power's fifth of the season, with four of those coming against the current top four.

Dynamic duo Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca propelled Melbourne to a 31-point dismantling of the Power at Adelaide Oval, with an eagle-eyed fan capturing a funny moment involving Hinkley in his coaching box.

Judging by his drink set-up, the Power boss must have been buzzing as he was pictured sipping a can of Coke, with another can of Coke Zero and a Red Bull also on the desk next to him.

Hinkley admitted after the loss to the Demons that too many of his stars were underperforming.

"We've had a few people who haven't been at their best form or their most consistent form," Hinkley said post-game.

"Clearly we've been OK at times because we're fifth, we've won enough games to put ourselves in a position, but to beat the best teams you've got to have more numbers in your favour than against.

"At the moment we're probably leaving it to a few too (many players)."

Compounding Port's problems was a right knee injury to comeback kid Zak Butters, who had to be substituted from the game.

Hinkley said the 20-year-old playmaker, missing since round four because of ankle surgery, may have suffered ligament damage.

"He has given his knee a bit of a sprain, it looks like maybe his medial (ligament) .. we will wait and see," Hinkley said.

Butters exited in the third quarter, when the Demons' McDonald rallied his troops.

Melbourne led by 26 points in the second term but the Power then snuck within nine after a Georgiades burst - he took a spectacular high pack mark and potted two goals.

But influential Demon McDonald then retorted with two majors in three minutes, giving the visitors a valuable 22-point three quarter-time lead.

Demons reclaim top spot on ladder

Melbourne aces Petracca and Pickett then again took centre stage, scoring goals to effectively quash any thought of a Port revival - the home side didn't score a major until Charlie Dixon's post-siren strike.

"It has been a bit of a theme for us, to really start to be more aggressive and get some heat on the ball," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"To the players' credit, they were outstanding in being able to execute that."

Petracca and Oliver put on a midfield masterclass as teammate Tom McDonald slotted three goals - the sixth time he's booted three or more in 16 games this season.

The pair had 64 disposals between them as the Demons reclaimed top spot, with Petracca (33 possessions, seven clearances) also kicking three goals while Oliver's 31 touches featured 11 clearances.

Kysaiah Pickett also kicked three majors to rediscover touch while recalled forward Ben Brown (10 disposals, four marks) was lively in the first half.

Port's former captain Travis Boak (25 disposals, eight clearances) and Ollie Wines (33 touches) continued their fine form.

Winger Karl Amon (28 possessions, eight inside 50s) was influential and emerging attacker Mitch Georgiades briefly sparked Port hopes with a two-goal cameo and soaring mark.

But the Power's premiership credentials have taken another hit from a genuine contender.

Of Port's five losses, four have been to flag fancies - the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane, Geelong and now Melbourne.

The Power slip from fourth to fifth and the gap may widen with Brisbane (third) and Geelong (fourth) favourites to create breathing space with wins over St Kilda and Carlton.

with AAP

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