IT is all about how Port Adelaide plays - and that will drive the result against West Coast at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon.

"We will play the right way," said Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley dismissing any suggestion that the result is already determined by West Coast's heavy injury list that has left just 24 players on Adam Simpson's selection whiteboard.

"This AFL competition does things that are unexpected all the time. We are not a footy club that takes any chances. We come out to play as best as we can every week ... and we are not going to take a chance. 

"We respect West Coast. 

"We have an important event (the Anzac tribute) to respect.

"So we have to play the right way."

Port Adelaide had its own injury concerns to manage at selection losing strong-marking key forward Charlie Dixon (knee) that opens the door for much-praised 2020 draftee (No. 49) Ollie Lord.

"You know what Ollie brings," Hinkley said of the grandson of 1962 Brownlow Medallist Alastair Lord. "He is quite combative and he is replacing a very combative player. We think it will be like-for-like, albeit not with the experience level Charlie Dixon has nor the size.

"But he brings an intensity we really like. We are looking at him buying into a contested game of footy."

Hinkley noted last year's use of Lord as a defender "will hold him in good stead as a key forward."

"Ollie is in really good form (after an interrupted pre-season with a kidney injury)," Hinkley said. "It is a remarkable turnaround from that injury in early January. He kicked four last week (in the SANFL trial against the AFL Under18 academy side) and he deserves his opportunity."

Lead ruckman Scott Lycett will step out of the AFL line-up - just as captain Tom Jonas did last week to overcome a knee issue.

West Australian mid-season draftee Brynn Teakle was chosen ahead of Sam Hayes to cover Lycett's loss. Dylan Williams falls out of the defensive group to allow Jonas to resume.

"Dylan is a lot unlucky ... but the captain is coming back," Hinkley said. "Tom deserves his spot back."

Port Adelaide again is privileged to honour the Australian defence forces and the memory of the Anzacs with hosting rights this weekend at Adelaide Oval - an opportunity not taken for granted by Hinkley and his team.

"This is a weekend we are really proud to be part of," Hinkley said. "For us, the respect we have for our armed forces is noted by our desire to pay tribute to them with a game of football. The history of our football club is rich with people who have served and continue to serve. We want to recognise what the armed forces do for us all."

The key notes from Hinkley's media conference before the captain's run training session at Adelaide Oval:

JUNIOR RIOLI on facing his former West Coast team-mates: "The first time you play against your old club there is some anxiety. There will be some of that. But he is really comfortable that he is a Port Adelaide player now."

MITCH GEORGIADES: "Mitch is really clear on what we are looking for. He is learning. He has had a remarkable start to his career. And think back to Todd Marshall ... now it is Mitch Georgiades. Like every young player, he is working on all parts of his game in offence, defence and contest. And he is invested in the Port Adelaide Football Club."

LYCETT: "Scott understands exactly where he is at and what is going on. To be fair, he is trying. He has had a real crack to get his form back to a level we need him at. We are giving him the opportunity to take a breath. He will go back to the SANFL to work on some confidence and to play with some belief. Sometimes the harder you chase (a goal), the harder it gets to hang on ... he is trying with everything he has got."

RUCK DEPTH: "We have five ruckmen on our list ... and Brynn Teakle has the capability to play in all three areas of the ground. We have all seen what he is capable of in the ruck."

DIXON: "We are hopeful (it is a one-week injury with a jarred knee). He trained on Thursday to a point we thought about it ... but it was silly; he is too important to us but we don't know (how long the key forward will be on the sidelines)."

JONAS: "We have given him the best chance to play confidently and play the football and with the belief that he will play the football we know he can. That week off has freshened him up after he has dealt with those physical challenges. We all know he is a combative player and how hard he goes. Sometimes you have to protect him from himself."

TACKLING amid the AFL crackdown on sling tackles: "It is pretty clear on what is and what is not allowed. We all understand the importance of protecting the head. We are doing that really clearly. Players understand it."

The match begins at 1.15pm.