CONQUERORS of the kings of AFL football one week - and challenged by the joker in the AFL pack this weekend.
Port Adelaide's follow-up act after surviving a brutal home contest against Richmond is the ambitious Carlton line-up looking for an upset at the MCG on Saturday night. And Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says his players do not need to stretch their memories too far to understand the danger posed by Carlton, particularly a Blues line-up looking for payback for last year's after-the-siren loss in Brisbane.
"Every game is a danger game," Hinkley said on Friday. "I never approach any game thinking that there is not some threats - and Carlton is an emerging young side with a lot of talent that at some stage is going to break through.
"Consistency is their battle at the moment - and we have been through that ourselves.
"We certainly know the quality of their side - and the way they play is really challenging.
"We only have to look back to last year - we needed a kick after the siren (from Robbie Gray). If we are at all confused about the quality we are coming up against, we should watch that last minute of football (against Carlton at the Gabba in round 7 last year) to know they can take us to the end ... and past the end."
Hinkley confirmed during the captain's run training session at Alberton the return to AFL action of key forward Todd Marshall, energetic forward Boyd Woodcock and recent debutant, the versatile Miles Bergman.
They replace ruckman-forward Peter Ladhams - who was a late call up when Marshall failed a test on an ankle last Friday - and injured duo, Xavier Duursma (knee) and Zak Butters (ankle).
As has become the norm, Hinkley is reserving the call on the 23rd man medical substitute until team sheets are signed on match day. This is more critical with Hinkley noting the brutal injury and fitness notes from the win against the AFL premier on Friday night leaves Port Adelaide wanting to "make sure everyone is okay".
Most notable among Port Adelaide's battered players are Connor Rozee and Essendon recruit Orazio Fantasia.
"We will go in a little bit sore - but so will Carlton," said Hinkley recognising the long injury list at the Blues. "We are not taking a risk if someone is significantly (in doubt with fitness).
"(Rozee and Fantasia) have recovered first; they have done that. They got over some corkies. And with Marshall, after a slight twist of his ankle (at training last week), they are all okay."
Round four medical substitute Sam Mayes will remain in the squad and travel to Melbourne.
Untried defender Martin Frederick has earned - after a solid block of work during the pre-season and in the SANFL - the chance to experience the AFL travel routine as the extra member of the touring party to Melbourne.
"He has been in really good form in the SANFL - and of there was an opportunity to play we would be more than happy with Marty in the side," Hinkley said.
Hinkley praised Woodcock's form labelling the half-forward "our best player in the SANFL week in, week out for five to six weeks".
The line-up keeps All-Australian forward Charlie Dixon working a tall tandem with Marshall and Mitch Georgiades.
The loss of Butters and Duursma has Hinkley planning "to mix and match" on new midfield rotations, particularly with game-winning forward Robbie Gray - the hero who scored the winning goal against Richmond last week and after the siren against Carlton at the Gabba last year.
"We have plenty of opportunities for people to go into (the midfield), but we will miss some quality - and we will miss Zak and Xavier, no doubt," Hinkley said.
Ladhams' exit from the AFL ends the two ruck tandem with premiership ruckman Scott Lycett.
"Pete, to be fair, has been a little out of form - and he knows that," Hinkley said. "What I love about him is he has been quite honest ... and knows he needs to go back (to the SANFL). He needs to play a little more ruck time and with more freedom. AFL can be quite consuming with structure, so Pete needs to go back and relax. He is a really good player - a high quality player with a great future. He is a young player learning his craft."
Port Adelaide returns to the MCG for the first time in 22 months.
"It is where everyone wants to play," Hinkley said. "We love playing at Adelaide Oval, don't get me wrong. But we know the MCG is a famous ground and an exciting ground to play football. We don't get that opportunity very often, so we look forward to it.
"Most of the boys have got enough information about playing the MCG - and they like to play there. It is a big ground - it is great for footy."
Midfielder-forward Sam Powell-Pepper's return to football - after stepping away for period personal reasons late in the pre-season - is confirmed with selection in the Port Adelaide SANFL line-up this weekend.
"For us, it is about making sure 'Pep' is in a great space mentally and physically capable," Hinkley said. "I think he will play pretty well."
