PORT Adelaide is expecting a bounce back game from gun midfielder Robbie Gray in Saturday night's clash with Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.

The two-time All Australian was held to just seven disposals in last week's 67-point loss to the Sydney Swans.

It was his lowest total since picking up eight in the 2013 elimination final against Collingwood.

Power coach Ken Hinkley told reporters on Friday he had no doubt Gray would return to his best.

"I don't see Robbie play many seven-possession games, so that gives me great confidence,'' Hinkley said.

"You talk about consistency, he is a consistent high performer.

"I talk to all the players every week, but for Robbie it's simple.

"He knows what his game was like last week and the one thing to know about Robbie is he has been a consistent high-level player.''

Ruckman Matthew Lobbe will play his first senior game since suffering a knee injury in round five.

He will share the ruck duties with Jackson Trengove in a tandem against Demons star Max Gawn.

"Jacko has done a great job for us, but we think having some support there against probably the All Australian ruckman is probably a good decision," Hinkley said.

"Both boys have to play a little bit of a different position, where that is we probably won't declare for you today, but we'll work towards getting them into positions where they will share the ruck duties between them and then they will have to fill up some of their time in other areas of the ground.

"In an ideal world, we'd love to have two in-form ruckmen in our team all the time.''

Medium-sized forward Jesse Palmer will make his AFL debut and become the Power's 35th player this season.

The 19-year-old, who was taken with pick No.78 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, has been a standout in the SANFL and has been on the cusp of selection for the past month.

"The last three or four weeks, we've ummed and ahhed with Jesse and we think last week's game was an indication we need to find out how he goes at the next level,'' Hinkley said.

"He couldn't have worked any harder on his game.

"He's played inside mid, outside mid, half-forward flanker, up and back, so he's got himself some flexibility in his role, so we look forward to seeing how he goes."

Hinkley said Riley Bonner was also close to making his debut in the remaining three rounds of the season.

On the flipside, forward John Butcher, defender Paul Stewart and midfielder Brendon Ah Chee were all omitted, while experienced forward Jay Schulz was also overlooked.

Hinkley said it wasn't the right time to comment about what possible list management decisions the club would make.

"There's always enough time for everyone," Hinkley said.

"I don't get caught in decision making, list management stuff at this time of year.

"It's just not fair to anyone and you make bad decisions at this time of year.

"Those decision are always done at the completion of a season."

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