WHEN Matthew Lobbe was called up to replace injured veteran Dean Brogan three weeks ago, few thought he was ready to assume the mantle as Port Adelaide's No.1 ruckman.

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Lobbe was trying to re-establish consistency in his game with West Adelaide after missing the opening two months of the season with a shoulder injury, and was on the verge of being sent back to the SANFL reserves when Brogan injured his hamstring ahead of the Power's clash with North Melbourne in round 14.

The 22-year-old, who had played second-string to Brogan in his previous three AFL appearances, was all of a sudden thrust into the lead ruck role and expected to compete with one of the in-form ruckman of the competition in Kangaroos big man, Todd Goldstein.

The former first-round draft-pick responded to the challenge in the first quarter, eclipsing his previous career-best effort of three possessions against Adelaide and St Kilda in rounds five and six last season to gather seven touches and be an unlikely leading possession-getter on the ground at the first change.

Unfortunately, he was unable to sustain the effort in his first game in 12 months.

Goldstein finished the game with a club-record 54 hit-outs, but Lobbe showed enough to suggest there would be life at Port Adelaide after Brogan retires at the end of the season.

He built on that performance against the Brisbane Lions the next week, amassing 22 hit-outs, a career-high 19 disposals, seven tackles and three marks in an encouraging display against another emerging ruckman, Matthew Leuenberger.

Lobbe's third game this season, and sixth in total, was against budding St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy, who he played junior football against, on Sunday.

Neither ruckman had a significant impact around the ground in difficult conditions at AAMI Stadium, but McEvoy won the ruck battle, racking up a personal-best 40 hit-outs to Lobbe's 25.

A 'down' game after two impressive performances was almost to be expected.

The match served as a reminder the Port Adelaide faithful will have to be patient with Lobbe, but also that he'll continue to improve with opportunity, just as McEvoy and Goldstein have done this season.

"Playing at the top level is definitely the best way to improve," Lobbe said.

"It's been great just to get an opportunity to play a full game with the team over the last few weeks.  You've got a bit more responsibility to your midfielders to take control as the No.1 ruckman and I've enjoyed that responsibility.

"I've learned a lot already playing against some quality ruckmen.

"Today, McEvoy taught be a bit about positioning around the ground and bodywork, so I can take something from that."

Brogan's decision to step aside has assured Lobbe will receive limitless opportunities for the rest of the season.

Lobbe said he appreciated his mentor's selfless act, and that he would continue to rely on the premiership player and aspiring coach for advice.

"Broges has been a great teacher over the last few years and he's really stepped that up this year," Lobbe said.

"I talk to Broges every day and he always reviews my game with me."