AFTER running with Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury last week, the next class in Chad Wingard's midfield education could feature a tagging role on Richmond star Dustin Martin.

Being accountable defensively is a focus for the Power's midfielders heading into Saturday night's crucial encounter with the Tigers at Adelaide Oval.

Wingard has this season gone from dual All Australian forward to dangerous midfielder, but faced his biggest challenge when tasked with limiting the influence of the Magpies skipper.

While Pendlebury still found plenty of the ball, racking up 32 disposals, Wingard made him earn every touch in the Power's 31-point win over the Magpies at the MCG.

"The need was to get the right player on to Pendlebury, and we chose Wingard in that space and he was able to execute," Hinkley said on Friday.

"The first thing he learns is when you're playing in the midfield, there's an accountability you need to absolutely have.

"When he's a forward, he's got a defender right with him. 

"As a club, we would like our midfielders to feel the same way about their opponents."

The Power is fourth on the ladder with an impressive 8-5 record and the second-highest percentage (135.4) in the competition.

But they are still chasing their first victory over a top-eight side this year, putting a cloud over their premiership credentials.

A win over the sixth-placed Tigers (8-5) would silence some of that talk.

"I acknowledge the commentary around that and I understand that," Hinkley said.

"For us, we can only control what we do, and the way we play and perform tomorrow night will give us the best chance to take some of that commentary away.

"We've played 13 games, at some stage we've played some sides that are OK."

Defender Tom Clurey, who is reported to have agreed on a two-year contract extension with the Power, or Tom Jonas is likely to get the job on Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt.

At the other end of the ground, the Power are wary of the damage gun defender Alex Rance can do with his intercept marking ability.

"Sometimes the best method is not to kick it towards him," Hinkley said.

"He's going to be in line with the ball more times than not, so we're going to have to execute around that."

Having re-signed Brad Ebert, Jack Hombsch, Sam Powell-Pepper and Billy Frampton this week, the Power are also keen to see veteran Justin Westhoff go around again.

Westhoff, who has played 91 consecutive games, has a trigger in his contract that will be activated if he plays a certain number of games this year.

"I couldn't imagine Justin Westhoff not playing for us next year," Hinkley said.

"In fact, I'm totally sure he will be."

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