CLASSY Port Adelaide Hamish Hartlett midfielder will captain the Power for the first time in his 31-game career on Saturday, leading an inexperienced squad into battle against West Coast at Mandurah.

The Power flew out to Western Australia on Friday minus a host of senior players including captain Dom Cassisi, Travis Boak, Robbie Gray, Danyle Pearce, David Rodan, Jay Schulz, Jackson Trengove, Brad Ebert and Jasper Pittard, meaning Hartlett will captain the young side against the Eagles.

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Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus - who denies an under-strength, inexperienced Power side is being sent to the slaughter against the Eagles - said Hartlett would have plenty of help throughout the game.

"Hamish will go out and toss the coin and that's about it," he said.

"He's got lots of other guys other guys who have played more games than him out there this weekend and we'll look for them to help him out in that regard.

"It's the evolution of our squad and where it's at and it's a great little test for Hamish." 

Despite facing a red-hot West Coast away from home, Primus said he was expecting nothing but competitive football.

"I'd be disappointed if it was a slaughter. Yeah we've got a young squad going over there, but they [West Coast] are up and about and feeling good about themselves and it's a great test," Primus said.

"There are mutterings coming out of there that they want to win a flag this year and regardless of how strong their team is, we're going to have some good, quality players out there and we'll get to see where we're at.

"[I want my players to] be competitive and play the kind of footy we've been practicing all summer.

"I just want to see that come through as much as it did last week."

Primus said the game was a chance to get a genuine look at Power's second-tier and less experienced players.
 
"We've got a lot of guys putting their hands up to play and we want to have a look at quite a few of them and give them an opportunity," he said.

"If you look at West Coast they've probably got 10 of their very good players and then they've got some guys that they're going to have a look at."

Harry Thring covers Port Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.

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