IF PORT Adelaide star Chad Wingard could wave a magic wand and heal Hawthorn's many injured players before the sides met on Saturday night, he would.

Like any athlete at the top of his game, Wingard wants to test himself and his side against the best.

The Power have surged to the top of the AFL ladder this season, dropping just one game in their first eight.

Along the way they've claimed the scalps of some of the League's toughest opponents – West Coast in Perth, Fremantle and Geelong.

But with the club having been ravaged by injury, the Hawks will enter Saturday night's contest without defenders Brian Lake, Josh Gibson and Sam Mitchell, nor will forwards Cyril Rioli or Jarryd Roughhead line up.

Wingard said he'd have preferred to face a full-strength Hawthorn unit not only to measure up against the reigning premiers, but also to avoid any surprises late in the year.

"We've played a few teams that haven't had their best side [available], you want to play everyone's best side each week, especially the Hawks who are one of the best teams in the AFL right now," Wingard said.

"We want to be tested early rather than go into the finals and not really be tested by their full side.

"We can't bring their players back into the side right now, we've just got to deal with what we've been given.

"They're going to bring 22 players out there and so are we – it's still a game of football."

Regardless of who's been ruled out of the top-of-the-table clash, victory for either side won't come easily.

Port has continually pointed at the quality of Hawthorn's game plan and structure as proof the club could handle injuries to star players.

The Hawks too have talked up their depth, reminding doubters the club brushed injury concerns aside lastyear to eventually claim the ultimate prize.

Hawthorn also has history on its side having obliterated the Power over their last five encounters, winning each game by an average of 72 points.

Wingard said breaking the hoodoo in a big-time game would further highlight the Port's character and help it come September.

"We've ticked off a few this year; Geelong, Freo and again Hawthorn are a great side, since I've been here we haven't beaten them – haven't even come close," he said.

"You learn a lot from those losses but I think we're going to take a lot more from the games this year they've played and obviously games we've played.

"[To win would] just show the character of the group…being able to stand up in those situations is really gong to help us, obviously we want to play finals and that's what's going to help us – put under that pressure.

"You want to put yourself under that pressure as much as you can to get used to it."