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A disappointed Damien Hardwick believes the umpires “got caught up in the emotion of the game” on a night the Gold Coast lost the free-kick count 33-16 to Port Adelaide and blew a golden opportunity to finish the season in the top four.

The Suns’ four-point loss to the emotion-charged Power outfit at Adelaide Oval means they now have to beat Essendon next Wednesday in their cyclone-delayed clash to make finals for the first time in the club’s history.

It was a tough theatre for the Subs, as Port Adelaide finished the season with a stirring victory in front of a raucous home crowd to farewell retiring coach Ken Hinkley and club great Travis Boak.

“I thought the umpires got caught up in the emotion of the game. Can happen,” Hardwick said in his post-match press conference.

“(But you are) asking the wrong bloke the wrong question. Maybe ask the umpiring department.“

Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy after the game: “The umpires had an ordinary night.”

Hardwick has backed his side to rise to the occasion next week against an injury-depleted Essendon.

“Our players have got to pick themselves up, they’ve got to lead from the front, they’re going to take charge, I’m going to hand it over to them, and we’re going to see what this group’s made of,” Hardwick said.

“Because they are made of something special — tonight they didn’t show it, but I think they’re capable of doing some really good things.”