UPDATED 5.0.3.11: It has been confirmed that the Power will face the Greater Western Sydney Giants next Saturday afternoon from 4pm at Willaston in South Australia's north.

Original story:

PORT Adelaide coach Matthew Primus has lamented the timing of Port Adelaide's likely clash with Greater Western Sydney next weekend, saying it was not an ideal preparation for his team on the eve of round one.

The GWS team, which is comprised predominantly of teenagers, lost to Carlton by 157 points in round two of the NAB Challenge and will start rank underdogs against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Historically, clubs use the final game of the pre-season as a full-scale dress rehearsal for round one and Primus said he was disappointed Port Adelaide would be denied that opportunity.

"It's not ideal…to play against a team that's not up to the standard yet, but that's the decision the AFL's made and we've got to get on with it," Primus said on Thursday.

"It's a little bit disappointing because if you look at most sides, last week and over the next two weeks, they are trying to get their preparation right.

"It means this week probably becomes a bit more important and our training preparation next week…and the week after that becomes a bit more important too, but that's the situation we're in and we can't do anything about it at the moment."

There will be a temptation for Port Adelaide to field a young side against the Giants to avoid the risk of injury to senior players and help even up the competition.

However, Primus said the need to get game time into underdone players before the start of the season proper was likely to see the Power take a strong team to Willaston.

"We were managing three or four players last week and are managing another four or five this week," he said.

"We've got to keep looking at our bigger picture of managing our players because I don't think you're going to be able to take anyone who's 80 per cent fit into games anymore. It's going to put too much stress on the playing group [with the changes to the interchange rules].

"The top speed [of the game] will drop, I think…but the amount of game time all players are going to have to play will increase a bit more. You can't afford to have anyone who is a little bit underdone."

Port Adelaide has recalled ruckman Dean Brogan and midfielders Steven Salopek, David Rodan, Hamish Hartlett and Matt Thomas for Friday night's clash with Geelong at AAMI Stadium.

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The Cats have named a relatively inexperienced side, with premiership stars Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Cam Mooney and Paul Chapman all left out of the line up.

Hamish Hartlett is a $262,400 midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.