WINNING Saturday night’s Showdown against Adelaide will be one of Port Adelaide’s biggest challenges, according to prominent AFL broadcasters Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson.

The Power will be missing co-captains Ollie Wines and Tom Jonas, and forwards Brad Ebert and Robbie Gray among other injuries to key personnel.

Speaking on AFL 360 on Wednesday night, Robinson declared beating the Crows in Round 8 would be one of the greatest wins in Port Adelaide’s history given the absences.

“You can’t ignore the fact they are going in with eight of maybe their best 13 players not playing,” Robinson said.

“Does the coach just ignore that or does he use that to spur and a chat to people about opportunity?

“If Port Adelaide can win this game, after last week’s trouncing to the Pies.

“If they can beat Adelaide on the weekend, with the team and the adversity, this will go down as one of the great wins.

“It would be a hell of a win.”

The injuries mean Port Adelaide is without all three of its leadership group, given vice-captain Hamish Hartlett is also sidelined with a hamstring complaint.

Former skipper Travis Boak, who stepped down at the end of 2018, after six years in the role, will reprise the captaincy for as long as required.

Whateley echoed Robinson’s thoughts, claiming the club now faced real adversity.

“Port are suddenly staring down a glut of injuries at exactly the wrong time,” Whateley said.

“Wines, Jonas, Ebert and then there are the long-termers - Hartlett and Dixon.

“Almost every leader at their club is out injured.

“So, this now is adversity. They are staring at adversity.”

The Power host the Crows in Showdown XLVI at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night from 7.10pm ACST.