YARTAPUULTI captain Connor Rozee is a chance to return to AFL action from a hamstring injury - and if so, his part in Sunday's home clash with Hawthorn is again a calculated risk.

"(But) if there is any doubt at all," Yartapuulti senior coach Ken Hinkley said at Alberton on Friday morning, "he will not play.

"If there is no doubt, he will play."

Rozee's potential return is shrouded by the ill-fated decision to play the midfielder in the recent Showdown at Adelaide Oval.

"Last time," said Hinkley, "we made a mistake. That is not going to scare us away from what we should be doing."

Hinkley is more confident of Rozee's preparation by the fact the captain will have - in contrast to his preparation for the recent derby - worked through two full training sessions during his recovery.

"That is different to last time when Connor had done a lot of training; a lot of running, a lot of kicking but this time he has worked through uncontrolled drills," Hinkley said.

"Time; Connor certainly has had a lot more time - 18 days from the last episode and not six," Hinkley added. "We have treated it slightly differently. We have been as thorough and as detailed as you can imagine to make sure we don't run the risk of Connor re-hurting himself. 

"(But) whenever you bring someone back from a soft-tissue injury there is always a risk. We have to minimise that risk. We are trying to do that in every way can."

Hinkley dismisses the fixture - a clash with a bottom-10 team - makes it easier to hold back Rozee.

"That is a conversation I don't want to be involved with," Hinkley said. "There is no such thing (as a soft fixture). Every week is tough."

RUCKUS: There is another big decision looming at final team selection on Friday evening. 

Dante Visentini is named to lead the ruck after his impressive work against Geelong last week.

Jordon Sweet is back on the team sheet after recovering from COVID. 

And the question of playing two rucks is back on the agenda.

"They have both played well in their last AFL game ... that makes a strong case to play both," Hinkley said. "Jordon is absolutely fine. He has trained all week. No problem at all.

"This week's decision is really difficult. Both have played their last game really well. Form is the first thing you look at."

FORWARD PLAY: Hinkley insists the way Port Adelaide moves the ball into attack is far more critical than how he and assistant coach Chad Cornes set up the forwards.

This is the critical note from the corrections seen against Geelong last week at Kardinia Park after a poor scoreboard return in the Showdown.

"If we are playing and moving the ball the way we like to - as we did in the first half against Geelong - that is the model," Hinkley said. "We are not adjusting week to week, month to month. We know what we need to play like - and how we play."

CONVERSION: Are the goalkicking yips gone after a sounder return against Geelong last week?

"For 150, 160 years goalkicking has fluctuated," Hinkley said. "All you need to do is make sure you are working on what you can control - and we do that really well."

OPPO WATCH: Hawthorn returns to Adelaide Oval - where it played Collingwood during Gather Round - with a 3-6 win-loss record this season and with three wins from its past five matches.

The wins and losses expose vast swings in form.

"We expect a really tough game," Hinkley said. "They are a different looking team. They are quite different in the front with a lot of small forwards. 

"They have had a few disruptions down back. 

"We have to make sure we are ready to play our grand of football at our best level."

THEME ROUND: Port Adelaide has its own theme for Sir Doug Nicholls round   that celebrates First Nations people in the game, past and present.

"This (round) is really close to us," Hinkley said. "We have seven (First Nations players) on our list, the most of any in the competition. 

"I know the boys love it. We love to dedicate the round to them.

"This year is a great one - 20th anniversary of our 2004 (premiership) team. (Norm Smith Medallist) Byron Pickett with the jumper. A lot of things come together.

"And the opposition has as captain (Jarman Impey) a former Port Adelaide player.

"It is just a good round to be involved in. I look forward to this round every year."

SUB RULE: On the much-debated question as to whether teams should have five interchanges players rather than four and a tactical substitute, Hinkley would prefer change.

"Clearly as a coach it is easier to have all the players ready to use any time you like," Hinkley said. "The sub is there for player health. It came in with the right intentions. It is now a matter of whether we need to free it up or not?"