UNCHANGED on paper, but not necessarily the same set-up on the field - the flexibility of Esava Ratugolea is adding a new dimension to the Port Adelaide line-up.

And Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley is not committing to keeping his Geelong recruit in attack while key forward Todd Marshall remains out of the line-up following a hip injury.

Moved from defence to attack for last Friday's win against Carlton at the Docklands, Ratugolea's starting role for Saturday night's home clash with Sydney will be eagerly anticipated - and debated - until the 7pm start of this top-eight shaping game.

"We are certainly unchanged," Hinkley said on Friday at the captain's run at Adelaide Oval.

"Where we play every one of our players, there is a fair bit to go into that yet. Esava did play forward last week and it did look okay ..."

Sydney's attack with three tall forwards does present the question of choosing Miles Bergman to again take on a key role in defence or shuffle Ratugolea back to partner Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and milestone man Aliir Aliir.

"There is a bit going on with what Sydney do and don't do," Hinkley said. "We just have to be a little bit flexible with how we go about it."

IF .... Ratugolea stays forward to work a tandem with Charlie Dixon and Mitch Georgiades the test for the Sydney defence is to deal with "weapons that are hard to combat".

"He is a big man," Hinkley said. "He jumps at the ball. He has great power. And he is pretty reliable when he has a shot at goal. He has played most of his footy up to this point as a forward. He has learned from one of the absolute greats in Tom Hawkins."

FORM LINE: Port Adelaide moves out of July - the month that demanded the team find consistency - with Hinkley acknowledging his troops have met that challenge, losing only to Gold Coast in south-east Queensland.

"We have been in reasonable form - and consistent in our performances," Hinkley said. "We look like we are playing pretty strong footy at the moment. We will get another indication (on Saturday night).

"In this competition, as close as it is, you know how valuable each win is. And then you have to go again."

August begins with the ultimate test against a Sydney team noted for its accountable football - and intense work at the contest.

"We need four really strong, competitive quarters," Hinkley said. "You know how good Sydney will be and for how long they will be that good. They are on top for a reason. I have so much respect for the way they play."

Sydney coach John Longmire has repeatedly noted Port Adelaide's pressure game has challenged his players.

"Sydney make you bring that," Hinkley said. "And we expect to do that. Every game."

OPPO WATCH: Sydney (14-5) has won just one of its past five matches, but continues to command top spot.

Port Adelaide (12-7) has won four of its past five matches to remain in the dramatic scramble to find the 14 wins now considered the magic number to qualify for top-eight finals.

Port Adelaide has won the past seven games against Sydney, four of which were at Adelaide Oval.

Sydney's depth and cohesion has been tested during the past month.

"They are six points clear at the top of the ladder - and we know how good Sydney are," Hinkley said. "And we know what to expect. They still have their complete midfield (available). They are a damn good team.

"It will take everything we have got."

INJURY UPDATE: Marshall was considered "very close" to selection this week after returning to the main training session this week.

"He just didn't quite pull up as well as we would have liked," Hinkley said. "We are not going to take a chance. We are optimistic we will have him back next week ... but we also thought that this week."

Ruckman Ivan Soldo is closer to his comeback from a knee injury.

"We are optimistic that he is nearly available - in the next week," Hinkley said.

Experienced defender Ryan Burton continues to build his form on the comeback from a foot injury while his spot is well held by first-year player Logan Evans.

"Logan Evans has been a really, really good story for us," Hinkley said. "He has owned his spot, playing really well."

MILESTONE 1: Key defender Aliir Aliir faces his former club Sydney in his 150th AFL game.

"Aliir is in as good form as any key back in the game at the moment," Hinkley said. "His past five to six weeks have been ridiculously good. It is funny how it has worked out with his 150th game against his old club. He has great love and respect for Sydney. He has been an outstanding pick-up for our footy club. We are the lucky ones."

MILESTONE 2: Hinkley reaches a significant milestone with 400 combined AFL games as a player and coach - starting with his 11 games at Fitzroy from 1987, followed by 121 at Geelong and now his coaching tenure at Port Adelaide where he will coach for the 268th time on Saturday.

Hinkley still marvels at how he stayed in the top-level game when his start at Fitzroy did not convince him on the merit of leaving country footy for the city lights.

"I haven't taken time to think about (the 400-game milestone)," Hinkley said. "It says I have been around for a long time. 

"It is a bit staggering to myself that I have been around AFL for this long because I never wanted to be a part of it when I first started. As a 17-year-old, the last thing I wanted to do is be part of AFL footy. I wanted to play footy but not at AFL level. And now I am still doing it. It is a bit silly. My love has gotten stronger."