Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard thinks they have a “championship team” that needs to be considered as a premiership threat this September.
The Power won five matches in a row prior to their shock loss to Fremantle last weekend. But Wingard believes his team are yet to reach their full potential.
"I one hundred per cent believe we've got a championship team, we've just got to make sure we're consistent," Wingard told AFL.com.au.
"I don't think (the loss to Fremantle) is a wake-up call.
"We knew the last five weeks we weren't playing the footy that we wanted to.
"We were winning games from our defence and attacking the contest.
This weekend Port Adelaide take on fellow top eight contender GWS, but they will be without All-Australia ruckman Paddy Ryder and possible playmaker Robbie Gray, after the latter suffered a nasty concussion in last week’s game.
However, Wingard believes the omission of Ryder won’t affect the match result.
"We've played a whole year without him before," Wingard said.
"I don't think it's going to be a game-changer.
"We've got to make sure we bring the contest and we'll be all right."
With the possibility of Gray missing this Sunday’s match, Wingard may have to return to the forward line where he earned himself a spot in the 2013 and 2015 All Australia sides.
"It wouldn't surprise me if I played a little bit more forward this week and they might just rotate the midfielders around," Wingard said.
"I've played a lot of forward in my career.
"If I do that, I've got to come with the same mentality and impact the game as much as I can."
Port Adelaide will be looking to keep their top four chances alive this Sunday when they take on the GWS Giants at the Adelaide Oval.