INJURED Port Adelaide skipper Dom Cassisi has implored his teammates to show some leadership and "substance" in his absence over the next six weeks, as the club attempts to rebound from a disappointing start to the season.

PTV: Injury Update

Cassisi will require surgery after fracturing his tibia and damaging cartilage in his knee during the Power's loss to West Coast at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

The courageous midfielder suffered the injury in the opening minutes of the game, but wasn't subbed off until after half time.

He said the club doctors initially feared he'd ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

"I bent over to pick up the ball and tried to stand up in a tackle. My knee buckled and it's a classic way of doing your ACL," Cassisi said on Monday.

"I sort of knew I'd done something. I ran off and the docs checked the structure of the knee. Everything was fine in that regard, but as I continued to play it was pretty sore and a little bit restrictive.

"I felt as though I was a bit more of a liability to the side, so after half time it was a good opportunity to bring Jase Davenport in, who I thought played really well."

The Power lacked intensity in the first half against the Eagles and were fortunate to be within 19 points at half time.

They fought back in the second half to cut the margin to five points, but West Coast responded and recorded a comfortable 18-point win.

Coach Matthew Primus lamented his side's work rate after the game, and Cassisi said the players needed to improve their 'gut-running'.

"Our work-rate can be questioned and our skill errors again hurt us," he said.

"We've got a lot of areas of improvement, and no doubt Matty's going to show them to us during the week. We've got to take everything that comes our way, to be honest."

The Power will now prepare to take on Geelong at Skilled Stadium without their inspirational leader.

Vice-captain Dean Brogan and veteran Chad Cornes stood up when Cassisi was subbed off in the second half on Saturday, but the midfielder said his side would need more contributors to topple the Cats.

"I'm not going to be out there, but I'm really looking forward to seeing which young guys are going to step up," he said.

"We've got a really young leadership group, and it's a great opportunity for them to be able to step up and really put their footprint on the place.

"Our backs are against the wall. We've had two losses and we haven't got off to the start we wanted, but guys that play well in the next few weeks will be the guys that have a bit of substance about them and will take the club forward."

Utility Nick Salter will also have surgery this week after scans revealed a break in his foot.

Hamish Hartlett is likely to be recalled to the side following a solid hit-out with West Adelaide, while forward Daniel Motlop starred with five goals for North Adelaide.

Motlop was left out of the team in round one for disciplinary reasons, but Cassisi said the skilful goalkicker was ready to return.

"He played really well on the weekend for North Adelaide, so that's a real sign that he cares about us and his career," Cassisi said.

"In the last few weeks we've seen significant improvement, and his performance indicates he's ready to be a part of our side and part of the club."

Daniel Motlop is a $247,800 forward in the Toyota AFL Dream Team competition.