HAMISH Hartlett is confident Port Adelaide can rediscover the running power that saw it finish third last year, despite the continued absence of speedsters Matt White and Jared Polec.

Hartlett said his side had slowed down in 2015 and urged his teammates to keep taking the game on.

The Power's ability to do so was hurt when a stress fracture in Polec's foot ruled the wingman out after round five, and the club was further stung at the weekend when White tore his hamstring.

White will have scans on Monday afternoon but is expected to miss up to a month of football.

Port's slower ball movement has resulted in a dramatic drop in scoring opportunities.

The club was ranked second for inside 50s last year, averaging slightly more than 56 a game, but it ranks 11th in 2015 with fewer than 50 a game.

Hartlett tipped some of the side's defensive runners might have to play further up the field to combat the absence of Polec and White.

"We had a discussion just briefly before about the speed of the ball going from one end of the ground to the other, and I think we were ranked first last year, sort of 15, 16 seconds from transitioning the ball," Hartlett said.

"This year that's slowed right down and we're not getting the entries we would like to be getting.

"We might have to utilise Jasper (Pittard) in a slightly different role, possibly up the ground a little bit more.

"We've got guys like Jarman Impey who can produce that run for us off half-back and Cam O'Shea's playing some great footy in the SANFL.

"We still certainly think that we've got the running capacity in us; we've just got to utilise it more."

The Power will need to produce a better effort than their second half against Geelong if they're to overcome Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.

Port was outplayed by the Cats after half-time and the Blues' recent form has been promising.

At 5-6, a win away from home is crucial if last year's preliminary finalists are to fight high up into the top eight.

"It's a significant game for our season, there's no doubt about that," Hartlett said.

"Carlton showed [in round 10] that they've got a bit of mojo back, they're playing some all right footy - a bit more attacking, aggressive footy.

"We've just got to try and play the type of footy that we want to play, which is really fast and exciting."