PORT ADELAIDE again takes on a new look with four forced changes at selection, but one theme will not change - even if the weather forecasters are right about the heavens opening up at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

"We have belief," Hinkley said of an attitude that will not be dampened by rain during the home clash with Richmond.

"Our best is good enough to play against any team. Our best - when we deliver - is as good as it needs to be against any team.

"We know how hard this competition is ... but we start each week with optimism and enthusiasm."

The search for consistency - let alone that "best" form - is a challenge known across the AFL competition, not just at Port Adelaide. The team that ultimately masters this challenge will win the flag.

"And there are so many things at this time of the year (that dismantle the chase for consistency)," Hinkley said. "Injuries. Those disruptions to our team in the past month have created quite a few changes. There are so many little things."

THE INS: Four forced changes prompt the returns of in-form forward Mitch Georgiades (from suspension), specialist forward Willie Rioli, the versatile Esava Ratugolea and left-footer Dylan Williams.

"We will go in as selected," Hinkley said before the captain's run at Alberton.

Williams returns to the line-up for his fifth AFL game of the season.

"Obviously we have lost a couple of players (in the backline) - but Dylan has been in really good form," Hinkley said. "His last three games of SANFL footy have been the best he has played this year, and I am really excited about what Dylan can bring to the team.

"Last year when he was in good shape and good form Dylan was really important for us."

Rioli returns after illness and personal reasons delayed his return to AFL action from a calf injury.

"I am excited (by his return)," Hinkley said of the premiership-winning forward. "And I am excited for Willie. He will enjoy playing footy and that is important. That is when he is at his happiest. And we are at our happiest when we have him out there. He is an incredibly important player for us. We have really missed him."

The Port Adelaide attack this week will work to a three-tall combination with Georgiades and the master-and-apprentice pair of Charlie Dixon and Ollie Lord.

"We are not under-sized," Hinkley said. "And with what is predicted with the weather, it might not be a bad thing (to have one less tall).

THE OUTS: Friendly fire has put key forward Todd Marshall back on the injury list with a hip injury - a different hip issue, however, to the injury that wrecked his finish to 2023 and ultimately required surgery.

"Todd (was) to try to do a little bit (at training) today and we will see where he is at from there," Hinkley said. "It is a different injury, so let's see how he recovers. His hip is in good shape. We did a surveillance scan of his hip last week and it is in really good shape. Long term, there is no issue. It is a new injury and one he should recover from reasonably quickly."

THE ROLES: Ratugolea resumes from a hamstring injury via the SANFL with the expectation of being part of the Port Adelaide defence.

"Esava does have flexibility," Hinkley said. "He can play ruck, he can play forward, he can play back. Ultimately, we brought him to the club to play back and that is where we expect him to play more often than not ... does not mean he will not play elsewhere."

LOADING UP: Gold Coast set up the road block to the Port Adelaide goalsquare last week - and rain on Saturday night could complicate the attacking moves.

"Our movement last week was not too stagnant; we played a pretty similar game for three weeks and the opposition (at Gold Coast) did a pretty good job of defending us in our forward 50," Hinkley said. "Bar the last quarter when we gave up a lot of entries the wrong way. We were on track for 60 inside-50 entries."

OPPO WATCH: Ranked last, wrecked by injury and working to new themes with first-year coach Adem Yze, Richmond returns to Adelaide Oval with fine memories of creating havoc in its last game in South Australia against Adelaide.

"We know they have played well, they have won in Adelaide and they have some great scalps," Hinkley said. "They have their own issues with injury. They have had a lot of injuries. But we will be ready for their absolute best. And the conditions we may come up against might really suit the way Richmond play."

CAT CALL: Geelong great Joel Selwood's visit to Adelaide last week on AFL action did present the opportunity for a session with the Port Adelaide players with key feedback.

"Joel thinks they (the midfielders) are a young, emerging group who are trying to figure out each other a little bit more and how to handle their own situations," Hinkley said. "And that is in-game and off the field as well. It was a great experience for our boys to have a player of Joel Selwood passing his knowledge to them. It is something I am grateful for."

CRYSTAL BALL: "There are quite a few teams (chasing finals berths)," Hinkley said of the tightest race to September since 1997. "Only Sydney knows it will play finals."

Port Adelaide is at the start of the round placed ninth, equal on points (40 from 10 wins) with Greater Western Sydney and Melbourne but tipped out of the top eight by percentage (103.4 to 109.8 and 105.5).

The "magic number" for qualification to September's finals still appears to be 13 wins, with Port Adelaide to seek the minimum three wins in games against Richmond (home), Carlton (Docklands), Sydney (home), Melbourne (MCG), the Showdown and Fremantle (Perth Stadium). Every match -  except the Sydney and Fremantle clashes - is a double-up from earlier encounters with Port Adelaide having beaten Richmond at the MCG by 30 points in round three.

TACKLING: Along with tipping winners, coaching players on how to tackle to avoid suspension is now a grand mystery.

"We tackle with a duty of care," Hinkley said of the instruction at Port Adelaide. "That is the best thing we can do. We understand the risk and the responsibility we have.

"We also understand - totally understand - what the AFL is trying to achieve. The game has changed and the game needed to change. We are all working through it and everyone is trying to get it right. It is quite a challenge for lots of reasons."

TRADE TALK: After Port Adelaide has been linked to so many players from rival clubs in potential recruiting moves in October, Hinkley did wonder when one of his players would be put into the frame for trade speculation.

This week it is contracted defender Dan Houston.

"Dan is in our leadership group; he has a contract (to 2027); Dan loves playing at Port Adelaide," Hinkley said.