Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has flagged multiple reasons for the club's staggering losses to Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and more recently, Geelong.
The trio of defeats ranks among some of the worst during Hinkley's tenure, with all sitting in the top eight since 2013.
The Power coach is set to hand over the reins at season's end to Josh Carr as a part of the club's succession plan announced during the year.
Sitting 15th on the ladder with four wins, and multiple poor performances, Hinkley understands the persistent questioning over his "energy" to coach the side, or the players' desire to produce solid outings on a weekly basis.
But noting the three big losses to the Pies, Bulldogs, and Cats are to genuine premiership contenders, Hinkley didn't seem to surprised.
"At the moment, we haven't played like anywhere near a top-four team," Hinkley said.
"So is it a surprise that the very, very good sides get hold of you and put you away at times?
"It's not what I'd like, but it's not totally surprising.
"Our challenge has been that we haven't been able to respond and hold up well enough.
"And that's for a number of different reasons, not just injuries."
The Power will lose Jason Horne-Francis and Lachie Jones for at least six weeks due to hamstring strains suffered in the 76-point loss to Geelong.
Defender Josh Sinn is also unlikely to take the trip west to face Fremantle on Saturday after he was subbed out last week with a sore hip.
Scans cleared Sinn of any serious injury but showed "significant bruising".
Travis Boak, Rory Atkins and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher are likely inclusions to help add experience to Port Adelaide's line-up, whilst also filling roles left by those injured.
But Hinkley didn't stop at suggesting that a host of youth could also be recalled for the Dockers clash.
"I know there are three or four players that have a fair bit of experience that we can lean on if need be," Hinkley said.
"We haven't chosen to go there yet. But we'll look at them. There's also some young players who we know... (Joe) Berry, (Will) Lorenz, (Hugh) Jackson, those types of players who can also come in and help improve our performances."
Implosion.