PORT ADELAIDE key defender Tom Jonas believes the club will take an experienced squad to Perth for Sunday’s opening JLT Community Series clash with West Coast at Leederville Oval.

The pre-season has already involved an internal trial during Port’s annual Family Day, as well as, the inaugural AFLX tournament, and Jonas says the playing group is primed for a big season ahead.

“We are going to try and put our best foot forward from the beginning,” Jonas told reporters on Monday morning.

“We want to play as strong a side as we can (for JLT 1).

“Hopefully we get a good result and build momentum into the start of the season.”

With the majority of the playing list fit, Jonas says the competition for spots in the JLT series has been intense, with an eye on players wanting to cement a spot for Round 1.

“I wouldn’t say the side is settled,” he said.

“There is a strong competition for spots… the pre-season tournament is going to be really important for us.”

Having returned to the finals last year for the first time since 2014, the 27-year-old says everyone at the club is focussed on continual improvement.

“Our expectation is to make finals, anything less than that is not where we want to be if we want to be a successful club.

“If we can put ourselves in the best position throughout the year, then we can push on. We have brought in people who will help with that.

“In this day and age, it is a very open competition… anything can happen.”

Port Adelaide’s second match in the JLT series is against Adelaide on Saturday, March 10, at Alberton Oval.

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