YOUNGSTER Tom Clurey thought he was a real chance to add a second senior game to his CV earlier this season when Port Adelaide teammates Jackson Trengove and Alipate Carlile suffered injuries in the same game.

The key defensive duo injured an ankle and hamstring, respectively, against Adelaide in round 15; Carlile returned on Sunday, while Trengove is tipped to play this weekend.

Many saw Clurey as a like-for-like replacement for one of the two, particularly after his solid round-one debut in Carlile's absence.

This time, though, coach Ken Hinkley overlooked the 20-year-old and picked the more experienced candidate in Cam O'Shea to take on Essendon in round 16.

Clurey understood the reasoning behind Hinkley's decision, but told AFL.com.au it stung regardless.

"I was definitely hoping and thought I was in with a little bit of a chance but they chose Cam, a bit more experienced so I've just got to keep putting my hand up and my best foot forward," Clurey said.

"It'll obviously drive me, I know that I've still got to keep working and improving on things to get in the team because they're picking other people over me.

"Kenny and the other coaches are pushing me on my competitiveness and defending one-on-one … they've been pretty positive the last month or so."

Clurey's averaged 17 disposals, seven marks and nearly four rebound 50s a game in the SANFL this season and said he felt much more comfortable at the level compared to last year.

Whether he manages to break into the senior side again or not, the SANFL's Magpies are in such a position that he'll get a taste of finals football one way or the other.

Performing on either competition's main stage is Clurey's aim looking towards the end of the season.

"Nicksy and Kenny have been trying to push me to take the game on a bit more offensively, so I've been trying to run a bit more with it and be a bit more damaging by foot," he said.

"The back half of the year I've started to find a bit more of the ball, but as I said I've just got to keep taking it on.

"Being consistent, keeping putting my hand up in case a spot opens up for me but if that doesn't happen then I just want to play good footy come finals time for the 'Maggies'."