Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says his side was dealt a big realty check by the rampant Bombers last night.
Essendon jumped out of the blocks, kicking 7.6 (48) to just 1.3 (9) in the opening term.
The Power kicked the first few goals of the second quarter they tried to show some resistance, but from there, it was all Essendon, who ran away 70-point winners, including a seven goal to one last quarter to win 19.17 (131) to 8.13 (61).
It is the most points Port has conceded in a game this season and a far cry from the 77-point average the side has conceded per game so far this year.
Hinkley kept his players in the meeting roomย behind closed doors for half an hour after the game and told reporters post-match he was shocked with his side's effort, which he described as the worst of the season.
โWe were shown up in all parts of the game and thatโs the first time this year that weโve let ourselves down terribly,โโ Hinkley said.
โEssendon were pretty good themselves, I have no doubt about that, but we didnโt offer much resistance.
โIt was ridiculously easy how they got through us, they handballed the ball around us and through us and run and bounced it and then exposed our defenders to some nearly undefendable opportunities for their forwards and quality forwards will get you if you give them that much space.
โWe just didnโt offer enough resistance at any stage.
โThatโs not what weโve been like.
โWeโve been really honest and consistent for 10 games but, gee, tonight we got a really big wake-up call.
โIโm shocked by the outcome because I trust this group but sometimes football comes and goes โwhack, cop that!โโ
Port, who were 6-4 prior to last night's game and knocking on the door of the top four, had been considered to be shock flag contenders following an impressive start to the season.
The Power face the Lions at at home next Saturday and Hinkley said he expects his side to come out firing and bounce back following the loss to Essendon.
"I reckon I'm going to back them and say: 'You know what? That's a little unusual for us'," Hinkley said.
"Every team in the competition's done it. I'll back them in to respond."
Despite the loss, Port Adelaide will remain in fifth place on the ladder at the completion of Round 12.
