'Truly awful': Port Adelaide savaged after slumping to all-time low

Port Adelaide's dismal start to the 2022 AFL season continued on Thursday night with the club sinking to thir worst-ever half time score against reigning premiers Melbourne.

Not since the Power's miserable 2011 season in which they won just three matches has the team performed so poorly through a half of football.

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They were unable to manufacture a goal in the first half, going into the main break with just 0.5 on the scoreboard - worse than the previous low point of 1.2 (8) in 2011.

It was a fairly dire first quarter for both teams, with Melbourne only managing one before they kicked ahead in the second quarter.

The Power made a late push in the final quarter, but it was too little, too late to avoid the 10.8 (68) to 4.12 (36) thumping.

It made for grim viewing for Power fans, with former premiership player Kane Cornes describing the performance as 'truly awful' at half time.

“You never want to see a coach’s tenure come to an end but it’s got that feel to it, I’m not saying anything drastic is going to happen in the next month or two months,” he said.

“I think they’ll need to methodically work through why this has broken down so badly and tonight has been a game plan issue for them.

“They just haven’t been good enough and look genuinely like a bottom four side tonight.

“Yes their opponents are powerful … I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of this crowd leaves at halftime."

Fans on social media were equally unimpressed.

It was also the first time in Port Adelaide's history that they had failed to kick a goal by half time.

Despite the brutal loss, Power coach Ken Hinkley remains adamant the club can still make the top eight, having been eliminated in a preliminary final last season.

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Only one team has made the top eight from an 0-4 start since 2000, and if Port Adelaide want to make the finals for a third successive year, they'll have to become the second.

"Why not? We haven't had everything the way we've (liked to) have, but it's a long season," Hinkley said after the Power's 32-point loss to Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

"I get that people question my belief, but I'm strong in it - I think we can absolutely move forward and improve quickly."

But to turn things around, the Power will need avoid offensive performances like the one they produced against the Demons as they were held to their first goalless half since entering the AFL in 1997.

"I never want to play in games of football where we don't score goals ... it's not a title we want," Hinkley said.

"No-one is more frustrated than us, and we understand the fans' frustration because they want their team to be playing well.

"Our players and our coaching staff and our whole football club will stick together and work really hard to make sure we quickly get back on track somewhere close to what they would love us to be playing like.

"We're desperate for it to turn around.

"I know it can be hard to accept, but we're working towards making us better quickly and hanging in there.

"At the moment, we're hanging in there in a position we'd much rather not be in."

Port Adelaide could get a boost to their scoring potency for their next match against Carlton with star veteran Robbie Gray almost certain to be available after being forced out of the meeting with the Demons due to entering COVID protocols.

But it's unclear whether Trent McKenzie (knee) or Scott Lycett (shoulder) will take on the Blues.

With AAP

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