PORT Adelaide onballer Josh Carr says the impressive form of rookies Wade Thompson and Danny Meyer has put the senior players on notice leading into the 2009 season.

Thompson, 20, created havoc for the Swans’ defence with 11 possessions, six marks and three majors, including an early contender for goal of the year.

The former sprinter also used his pace to generate strong defensive pressure inside the Power’s forward 50m arc.

Richmond discard Meyer racked up 12 touches and showcased his own goalkicking ability with a nine-pointer.

Carr, who laid six tackles in the 65-point win over the Swans, said he had been impressed with the depth of Port Adelaide’s list since returning to the club in October.

“There are a lot of guys vying for positions, everyone’s on notice," Carr said.

"It doesn’t matter who you are, you feel a little edgy about your position in the team, so that can only be a good thing.

“The draft has been talked up a fair bit over the past few months, but I’ve been really rapt with the young guys that have come into our club and to see them come into the side yesterday, as if they’ve played a lot of games, was great to be a part of."

First-round draft pick Hamish Hartlett also made his debut in Canberra and showed his class with 10 poised possessions.

Hartlett, 18, is in the running for a berth against Essendon in round one, but the rookie-listed Thompson and Meyer are likely to start the season in the SANFL.

A rookie can only be promoted to a club’s primary list if a senior-listed player is placed on the long-term injury list.

The Power currently have just one player, rookie Matthew Martin, on their official injury list.

Assistant coach Jason Cripps said it was still early days for the dynamic duo.

“Wade has showed some good things and so has Danny Meyer, they’ve been the two rookies that have stood out so far and the opportunity is there and it’s up to them whether or not they grab it,” Cripps said.

“They showed enough during the pre-season to suggest they could produce that type of performance (against the Swans) first-up, so we weren’t really surprised.

“But one game doesn’t make a career and they’re certainly under no illusions that there’s still a long way to guy in terms of their career. They need to back it up this week.”

Port Adelaide will take on the might of Geelong in the NAB Cup quarter final at AAMI Stadium on Saturday evening.

Cripps predicted the battle for spots would heat up again this week with Shaun Burgoyne, David Rodan, Steve Salopek and Michael Pettigrew likely to be available.

“There is some real pressure on for spots and that can only be a good thing,” he said.

“We also had Nick Salter, Matty Westhoff and Nick Lower miss out on the weekend.

"They’ve all been playing good footy and had good pre-seasons, so we really think our depth is going to be a strength this year.”

Danny Meyer is rated as a $75,300 midfielder in the Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.