FEW RIVAL supporters would know his name, but Port Adelaide's Tom Jonas wants to take on returning Kurt Tippett on Saturday.

At 202cm and 104kg, the returning power forward has a substantial height and weight advantage over Jonas (188cm, 89kg). Not that such a discrepancy would bother the 22-year-old.

He's been forced to step up quicker than expected this year in the absence of Jackson Trengove but has done so admirably and is ranked second at the club for one per centers.

Jonas' commitment to the Power's cause was rewarded last season with the Coaches Award and he's made a name for himself at Alberton as a man who can play on a wide range of opponents.

"I'd love to have a crack at Kurt – he's been out in the pasture for a while and would be raring to go, but it's team defence, it'll be a team job and the pressure up the ground's going to be vital," Jonas said.

"When you're getting good defensive pressure up the ground like we did on the weekend (in the win over the Giants), we had great tackles and implied pressure, it makes it lot easier to defend regardless of who you're on.

"To tell you the truth, 'Bobby's' (Alipate Carlile) got a good record on Tippett, I wouldn't be surprised if he got first go on him this weekend."

Jonas admitted the loss of Port skipper Travis Boak for the clash was a "big blow", particularly considering the Swans' status as the number one clearance side in the competition.

Boak underwent surgery on Monday to fix a dislocated finger and could miss two games as a result.

Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.