Port Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Primus admits the Power faces a season-defining fortnight as the club attempts to get its AFL season back on track.

Tight losses to Hawthorn and Sydney in the past two rounds have left the Power two games and percentage outside of the top-eight.

Primus said Sunday's clash against Fremantle at Subiaco Oval and next week's home task against Carlton would make or break its season.

"Those two weeks will probably define where we are going to end up," Primus said.

"We are disappointed (with where we are) but we've consulted the players and they actually believe we are playing good footy.

"We haven't had the luck and the ability to clinch those tight games as in previous years. Last year we had that and that got us into the finals."

Subiaco Oval - so often a venue of doom and gloom for opposition sides - has been unusually kind to the Power over the years.

In 16 visits to the venue, Port Adelaide have posted 10 wins.

Their record against Fremantle is even better, winning five of seven meetings at the ground.

But it is final-quarter fade-outs rather than ground records that have concerned Fremantle this week.

The Dockers became the first team since St Kilda in 1940 to lose four games on the trot after leading each at three-quarter time.

But instead of dwelling on that stat, Harvey said the experience might be the making of some of the club's younger players.

"In the end sometimes you can get it too easy too early in your career," said the former Bomber, who in his first two years in the AFL played in Essendon's 1984 and '85 premiership teams.

"And some of the younger players have been through some fairly difficult times in regards to the way we've been beaten, but it might be the making of them. That's how I see it.

"For me personally I had it too easy when I was younger as a player.

"I was lucky enough to play in successful sides and about three or four years later I don't think it helped."

Primus said the Power weren't focused on exploiting Fremantle's final-quarter jitters.

"I don't think you can go into a game and say 'look, if we are behind we are going to run over them'," Primus said.

"That's an issue for them but we've had issues where we haven't been able to clinch games towards the end either so I think both teams will take that hit."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP