Ken Hinkley, making four changes at the selection table, is confident in his side's ability to perform against a strong Sydney outfit. Image: AFL Photos.

NO AFL team has ever been eliminated from the premiership race after a 1-2 start to the home-and-away season - and Port Adelaide is not losing focus with 20 games still to play in the league's longest-ever run to September's finals.

Port Adelaide plays Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night against the heavy backdrop of intense scrutiny after the fade-out in Showdown LIII at the weekend. 

Amid heavy external reviews of Port Adelaide's past two losses against Collingwood and Adelaide - after a strong start against Brisbane - Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley has emerged from a dramatic week of Showdown fall-out saying: "We will not be distracted."

"We have nothing to worry about other than getting the job done this week," Hinkley said on Friday.

"We have just played round 3; the competition is so alive and we cannot be distracted. The club is incredibly strong. The reality is we are 1-2 and we haven't quite got it perfect ... 

"We are going to give a real good account of ourselves for the rest of the season. Let's see where it takes us."

Port Adelaide and Sydney last met in Round 14, 2022 with the Power running out 23-point winners. Image: AFL Photos.

The fall-out from the 31-point loss in Showdown LIII has played out in match committee to four significant changes at selection.

The line-up gains key defender Trent McKenzie for Tom Clurey; and youth is favoured with midfielder Jackson Mead, forward-midfielder Jed McEntee and newly cast defender Dylan Williams replacing deputy vice-captain Darcy Byrne-Jones, fellow defender Riley Bonner and injured forward Orazio Fantasia (quad).

"We have made decisions to give us the best flexibility and the best opportunity to beat Sydney in Sydney," Hinkley said. 

"We have brought in four players to make us better as a football team - that is the important thing. The four put out of the team - for differing reasons - have not been able to get the job done."

Tough midfielder Jackson Mead has been recalled for his first senior game of 2023. Image: AFL Photos.

Lachie Jones, Byrne-Jones and Clurey will be travelling emergencies while Port Adelaide waits to review conditions at the SCG before settling on the tactical substitute.

Port Adelaide returns to the SCG where it has won the past two encounters with Sydney by 23 and 28 points in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

"We have not played there for five years, so it has been a while since we have played there. We are going to get a refresher course," said Hinkley whose squad will complete its training program with a captain's run at the SCG on Friday afternoon. "We are comfortable with the game we can play on that oval - and we have enormous respect for the team we will find there."

The key notes from Hinkley's media briefing before flying to Sydney on Friday morning are -

FAITH IN CAPTAIN TOM JONAS: "Like everyone in the team, there is room to move and there are places they need to get to individually and collectively. If the team is playing well, it is much easier for every individual. Tom has been a great captain. I will respect him forever. He is a player I will always admire."

Tom Jonas leads the side out in Round 2. Image: AFL Photos.

CUTTING DBJ: "You have to play well to hold and own your spot in the team. (Dropping a member of the leadership group) sends a strong message ... and a disappointing message. Darcy is a really proud player. He will play better and he will get back in our team quickly. He is mature enough to handle (his demotion). He understands he has some work to do."

TRAVIS BOAK: "He is fine. He is 100 per cent fine. He did not have a great preparation (after being crunched by West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern in Perth during a trial game). He is now going into his second full game and we expect he will put together another great season."

FANTASIA: "Orazio strained his quad (after entering the Showdown in the last quarter as the tactical substitute). He kicked a long goal and hurt his quad. It is disappointing for him after a good run (with fitness) during the pre-season."

RETURN OF WILLIAMS: "Dylan has been a fantastic story. He has played only one AFL game, that was against Sydney (at Adelaide Oval in round 15, 2021). He was a forward. He is coming back to play as a defender. He has played some strong football as a defender through the whole pre-season. We think he has an incredible football brain and he will make us better."

Dylan Williams last made an AFL appearance in Round 15, 2021 - making his senior debut against Sydney. Image: AFL Photos.

DEFENCE: "It is about the whole team defence (not just the match-ups in the back seven). We typically have been okay, but the past couple of weeks it has been really poor. We have let too many scores go through - one against a high-octane Collingwood who were flying. We know collectively we need to be better. It is as much about how we put pressure on the ball up the ground as it is when it gets into the back half of the ground."

SYDNEY (which has not beaten Port Adelaide in the past six games stretching to 2017): "We have played our absolute best football (against Sydney) and last year was a highlight game for the season (in beating Sydney by 23 points at Adelaide Oval). We understand if we are nowhere near our absolute best we will be up against it."

The match begins at 7pm on Saturday.

New South Wales based supporters are encouraged to head to the club’s Captain’s Run on Friday afternoon, which will be an open training with autograph and photo opportunities available after the session. Meanwhile, there will also be a pre-match supporter function at the Paddington RSL.

Those heading to the game wanting to sit with fellow Port Adelaide supporters can click here to purchase tickets in the club’s supporter bay.