PORT ADELAIDE vice-captain Hamish Hartlett is looking forward to seeing the continued development of young key forward Todd Marshall in season 2020.

Marshall has managed 22 goals in 20 AFL games during his three seasons with the Power and the 21-year-old is impressing in his first full pre-season.

Hartlett has enjoyed what he has seen from the New South Wales product, but understands key position players tend to take a little bit more time to develop.

“Without putting too much pressure on Toddy’s shoulders - being a young key forward - we expect that development to be pretty natural,” Hartlett told SEN SA’s Breakfast program on Friday morning.

“He’s got himself in great condition. He’s training well. He’s competing really hard - doing what’s asked of him at training.

“He attacks the aerial contest like no one else I’ve seen. He goes as hard as anyone. That’s all we can really ask of him - create a great contest.”

The rebounding defender said Marshall has the ability to beat his opponent in the air and on the ground, with the big man possessing good speed and agility according to Hartlett.

“He’s got that great ability athletically to be able to out run his opponents as well,” Hartlett said.

“He’s got speed and a pretty good fitness base under him now as well.

“He’s got some great attributes that will hold him in great stead for this year and he’s got to keep building away.

“He’s in a good spot at the moment.”

Hartlett also had a lot of praise for Power ruckman Scott Lycett, saying the former Eagles big man was leading the ruck department so far this pre-season.

“Scotty Lycett is probably leading the way at the moment,” he said.

“He’s come back in really great condition. He’s been pretty dominant in there. They are all competitive guys as we all know.”

The vice-captain said the likes of Peter Ladhams and Sam Hayes were developing well, but it was Lycett in particular who had been lighting up the track.

“Peter Ladhams has been pretty good, but he’s had some minor issues with his knee, which he been battling with for a year or two now,” Hartlett said.

“He’s training well and will get on top of that.

“And Sammy Hayes is developing really well. But Scott is probably the standout in terms of that department.

“There are certainly guys nipping at his heals, that’s for sure.”