PORT Adelaide's underperforming players have been put on notice that some of them have two weeks to prove they deserve to remain at the club.

The Power's slim finals chances were extinguished on Saturday night with a 40-point loss to fellow contender Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

It ensures the Power (9-11) will miss the top eight for the second straight year and  guarantees they will fall short of last year's 12-10 win-loss record.

Asked if the next fortnight would be crucial to whether players remain on the list, Hinkley said, "That's accurate.

"That's why you don't make list decisions now. That's why you look at every opportunity to see what is the potential of some people.

"It's whether they've got the capabilities to help us improve.

'"Sometimes you've got to make some decisions. You've got to be bold, you've got to be brave with your list management, that's the things that we talk about.

"It is going to be a very active list management time of the season and we will be a part of that."

The Power finish their season with games against cross-town rivals Adelaide and away to the Gold Coast Suns.

Injuries to Chad Wingard and Charlie Dixon could open the door for out of contract forwards Jay Schulz and John Butcher to return to the side for the final two weeks.

Schulz and Butcher have had limited opportunities this season and would be keen to press their claims for new deals.

It's not just the Power's players who are coming under the spotlight, Hinkley readily admits his position will come into question given the side has failed to reach expectations this year.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with asking the questions," Hinkley said.

"I'm the coach of the club that's been inconsistent and it starts and ends with me.

"The questions I ask of myself aren't that dis-similar every day though, am I doing as much as I can to give this team the chance to be as good as we possibly can?

"If I can answer those questions and be honest about them, I'll find room to improve, but it's a two-way street, everyone at the club asks the same questions.

"I had some happy times a long, long time ago, and now I'm dealing with some tough times and I'm going to challenge myself to be a better coach right now."

Next Saturday night's Showdown with the high-flying Crows looms as a massive mismatch, however, Hinkley believes the Power is capable of rising to the challenge and at least be competitive.

"The Showdown's are always big in the town," Hinkley said.

"Obviously there is one side that is absolutely on top of their game and probably equal to premiership favourites, and there's a side that's really struggled through the whole of the year.

"But what we do know about Showdowns is that come Showdown time, they do tend to bring a crazy game at times and we hope to create that crazy game."