PORT Adelaide plans to field a "reasonably strong side" for the JLT Community Series as the Power embraces the pressure to return to the finals.
Power coach Ken Hinkley will take a hands-on approach during the pre-season games in a sign of how serious his club is to make amends for disappointing performances in the past two years.
"We're pretty keen to play a reasonably strong side in the (JLT Community Series) and Kenny is keen to coach that group and hold the reins for it," senior assistant coach Matthew Nicks said.
"For Ken to be there, it gives the players the (knowledge) this is real.
"You think back to your playing days, when the pressure is on, that's when you perform your best.
"If you're a competitor and a lot of us are, you want to feel that pressure. There's pressure on the whole club – coaches, players, admin, everyone, and we embrace that."
The Power kick off their pre-season campaign against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on February 24.
While the big guns are set to be rolled out, the club's draftees, including midfield bull Sam Powell-Pepper, will be given the chance to stake their claim if they have earnt their chance.
"If a player's ready and we feel it's going to benefit them and make them improve and develop faster, we'll get them in as soon as we can," Nicks said.
"Some of the guys who have come in have performed really well on match practice and we can't ask more of that.
"Some of them are at a level that we are reasonably confident we may see some of them this year."
Key forward Charlie Dixon will be managed carefully after having ankle surgery in November.
The former Gold Coast spearhead booted 30 goals in 17 games in his first season at the Power last year.
"He won't train fully at this point, but he's back moving around and he's pain free, so we're really happy with where he is at," Nicks said.
"We are confident we should see him out kicking more balls soon.
"It will be something that we will make a decision come those (JLT Community Series) games."
Veteran forward Angus Monfries is also on limited duties after shoulder surgery at the end of last year.
It's hardly an ideal situation given the former Essendon goalsneak sat out last season serving a 12-month anti-doping suspension.
"Gussy is a bit off at this point, but we'll be expecting him out on the track shortly," Nicks said.
"We would've managed his load through this period (anyway).
"I don't think it's going to hurt Gussy too much, he's reasonably experienced in this area."
In better news, defender Jack Hombsch has returned to training with the main group after having hip surgery midway through last year, while Logan Austin is continuing his recovery from ankle surgery.
Second-year ruckman Dougal Howard is on track to return from a knee reconstruction in the second half of this season.
