The friction between Port Adelaide and Carlton has continued with Power coach Mark Williams likening some post-match comments from Andrew Walker to kicking a 'dog when it's down'.
On Saturday, Walker criticized Port players for giving up and arguing with each other after the Blues' emphatic 11-goal victory over last year's grand finalist.
Williams said his players' second half showed they were still competing and added it was not unusual for team-mates to fight among themselves.
"Players argue when we win too and it's only usually highlighted when you lose," Williams said.
"I suppose the tradition at this club is you demand a lot from each other and I know over the years when we won premiership after premiership we'd argue with each other and demand a lot from each other and try to keep the standard up."
"I guess Carlton aren't used to that."
"It's easy to kick a dog when it's down and that's probably what Andrew is probably doing."
Williams' prickly comments are the latest in a war-of-words between the clubs this season.
Chad Cornes started the niggly exchanges back in June when he said the club was 'looking forward' to getting past the tough start to its season the week before it tackled Carlton.
Blues coach Brett Ratten took offence and said the Power would have a challenge on their hands. He also described Port as an outside team while Brendan Fevola added fuel to fire by suggesting Cornes didn't put his head over the ball.
Williams did admit however that his side's first half against Carlton was 'completely pathetic'.
The 2004 premiership coach also said the team was focussed on making amends when they tackle Collingwood at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.
"We've trained really hard already, a lot of running this morning and the players are fully aware that what we dished up was unacceptable," he said.
"We've had a great rivalry against them, they've won some finals against us, we can remember Eddie (McGuire) running in and singing songs with the cheer squad.
"We are real keen to knock their chances of making the top four."
Meanwhile Williams has defended his decision to speak to players from rival clubs before the season has finished. The AFL frowns upon poaching but Williams said it was 'the reality of football'.
"I understand the rule. They are talking to me, I'm not talking to them, I'm not ringing anyone, I don't talk to them for very long," he said.
"I'm sure it happens, that's the reality of football, I know for certain that some of the players that have left our club in the past have spoken long and hard with coaches from other clubs."
"I guarantee we are not lying down. We are actually in the game and we'll be in the game whether it's recruiting or whether it’s trading or whether it's uncontracted players we'll be in the game."