SAM Hayes follows Scott Lycett, Jeremy Finlayson, Brynn Teakle and last weekend's AFL debutant Dante Visentini to the centre circle to lead Port Adelaide's ruck battery.

And in senior coach Ken Hinkley's eyes the seemingly forgotten ruckman is the best of all Port Adelaide's options for putting hit-outs to advantage of an energetic midfield unit.

"Of our rucks," says Hinkley, "including Scott Lycett, Sam Hayes would have the nicest hand off the throw-in or ball-up. He has a really nice hand which gives our midfielders a good look at it, we hope."

Hayes, 24, returns to the Port Adelaide AFL line-up for his eighth national league match - and first since round 11 last season - to put his 205cm frame against Gold Coast giant Jarrod Witts (209cm) at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

"Sam has been playing at a really high level in the SANFL," said Hinkley with 41 hit-outs noted in Hayes' work against West Adelaide at the weekend. "We think Sam is the best equipped of our rucks this week to go up against a really strong competitor in Witts.

"That is why we have great faith in Sam. What I have loved is he has worked really hard every game to get himself back for this opportunity. He has worked for and deserved this opportunity. 

"We are bringing Sam in because of the opposition ruckman who has such a long reach and we want to be able to nullify him around contest.”

It might be just a one-week audition with Lycett pencilled for a return after just two games on the sidelines with a knee injury.

"We expect Scott to play next week (against Carlton at the Docklands in west Melbourne)," Hinkley said. "But we are not totally sure of that. We have had some medical experts look at (his knee injury) and give us the opinion it is in pretty good shape and with rest this week he will be right to compete next week."

A year ago, Hayes earned his AFL call-up in round five - again by the need to replace Lycett - but fell out of favour after a solid run of seven games with his coaches noting a clear need to work on his field play.

"We are about to find out," says Hinkley of how much Hayes has improved during the past 12 months. "That will be the challenge for Sam. Will the game stretch him or not while he is playing against a high quality ruck? He is ready to have a go at it. I am really optimistic around what he can do. I look forward to seeing that."

In other key notes from Hinkley's media conference at Adelaide Oval:

BURNING SUNS: Gold Coast, ranked 13th, arrives at Adelaide Oval after a week of intense scrutiny on senior coach and Port Adelaide premiership player Stuart Dew. 

"We are wary of every team we play, particularly teams that are challenging and trying to make the top eight," Hinkley said. "You know at this time of the season there is some desperation. When teams are in the fight of their life, they give everything they have got.

"Gold Coast, we expect, will bring that tomorrow.

"They have been a really good team against sides on and off throughout this year and they have had some great performances. We understand what the challenge will look like."

Port Adelaide is seeking its 14th consecutive win against Gold Coast in a streak that began on May 26, 2012 and has stretched as far as China. This is the fourth meeting of the clubs at Adelaide Oval where it was a two-point game in late June last year.

MILESTONE MEN: Key forward Charlie Dixon reaches his 200th AFL game against his former club; Jeremy Finlayson is at 100.

"Charlie is one of those players who you do form a special bond with," Hinkley said. "There is no doubt about that. We have been at another club (Gold Coast) together. We have been good for each other. I am a better person because I have known Charlie and he is a better person because he has known me. He has given me great support.

"He is a fierce competitor. Everyone loves watching him play. He turns up and he plays. He will physically compete for the team - and he loves that.

"We need to acknowledge what Jeremy has brought to our football club too. He is remarkable with his own resilience."

LUCKY 13: Port Adelaide's club AFL record winning streak would stretch to 13 with victory.

"Every week, we need to get better," Hinkley said. "We need to improve each week with everything we do. But we are not sitting there saying we desperately need to do this or this. We need to be really consistent in our behaviours. That is a great sign of improvement when you consistently deliver from those behaviours."

X-MAN: Xavier Duursma remains in the SANFL building his match fitness after a return from a knee injury.

"Xavier has needed to build up some time after having his knee in a brace for six weeks," Hinkley said. "He will want to take a spot back (in the AFL line-up); that will be up to Xavier and the way he performs. We are optimistic around our best team having Xavier in it."

FANTASIA: Orazio Fantasia maintains he sees his future at Port Adelaide - and so does Hinkley.

"We are incredibly optimistic Orazio will be playing at Port Adelaide," Hinkley said. "His biggest challenge - and only challenge - is a physical one (by injury). We are hopeful he will play SANFL tomorrow. 

"There is no question on Orazio's talent. His challenge is by fitness. That is what he is trying to achieve right now. He has had a horrible run. If he is capable of staying on the park, he is on our list."