A foreign ground, trying conditions and an opponent laced with the nation’s best talent will work against Port Adelaide on Saturday, but in the Power's favour is its determination to prepare well each and every week.

Some would say the mantra of taking your season 'one week at a time' is an old football cliché; in reality it's a sage philosophy that is most relevant in today's unrelenting competition.

Take your eyes off your next challenge and you risk getting caught out.

The Power's senior coach Ken Hinkley knows it, and he knows there are new variables thrown at Port Adelaide for the this weekend.

It will be his side's first game in the wet for 2014, its first at the Canberra ground since 2005 (only Kane Cornes and Dom Cassisi have played at StarTrack in Power colours) and Greater Western Sydney is a dangerous football side with plenty more experience at the ground.

The right and regular preparation the club undergoes is essential for Hinkley, the next step is to bring the required intensity on the day.

“I’ve heard other coaches and certainly better coaches than me talk about the importance of preparation," Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au

“It’s because of the competition we’re in, if you’re a little bit off - and they’re right on – you’ll get yourself in trouble.

“The competition is so close; the ladder isn’t a guide.

“The intensity both teams bring to the contest on the day means our intensity has to be at the level it has been all year.”

It was Canberra's coldest day for the year when the Power arrived on Friday, and no doubt Saturday's forecast 11-degrees will give both teams ample reason to don the thermals during the game.

Despite the temperatures, Hinkley hopes the conditions won't play too much a factor if his side produces the required intensity to perform.

"Footy’s pretty simple, if you just keep going pretty hard at the ball and compete pretty hard, get the ball going our way as much as we possibly can, the conditions hopefully won’t be too big a factor."

And as for the Giants - a side that has already improved again on its 2013 form - Hinkley knows the risk they pose.

“They’re young, they’re full of excitement and they look forward to their next AFL game, so they can get up really quickly," he said. 

"We need to be on top of our game, this week, like every week."

Port Adelaide plays the GWS Giants at StarTrack Oval at 2:10pm (AEST)/1:40pm (ACST). Check your local guide for broadcast information.