PORT Adelaide's academy has another graduate to AFL company with defender Marty Frederick to start his national league story in the Anzac Day clash with St Kilda on Sunday evening.

Frederick, 20, will cover the loss of fellow Next Generation Academy graduate Lachie Jones (ankle) as reward for his strong work in both the pre-season and in the SANFL recently.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley confirmed Fredrick's promotion before Saturday morning's training session at Adelaide Oval where fellow defender and emerging midfielder Dan Houston (shoulder) was kept in the frame for the 6.10pm clash on Sunday. If Houston is ruled out, experienced midfielder Tom Rockliff - fresh from his 41-disposal run in the SANFL last week - will be recalled.

Defender Hamish Hartlett (corked leg) is fit to play.

Frederick joined Port Adelaide in 2018 as a Category B rookie, qualifying as an "international" recruit by his South Sudanese background. But he is true to the "old academy" theme of Port Adelaide players growing up on the LeFevre Peninsula and playing junior football in the district, in Frederick's case with Portland.

"After a footy was kicked over the (family home) back fence," Hinkley said of the introduction Marty and his twin brother, Fremantle half-forward Michael, had to Australian football.

"It is a great story. His journey is a remarkable one and we've all learned about Marty and what his journey has been. It is an incredible story.

"He has told us how he and his brother one day saw a football kicked over the fence and they did not have a clue what it was. That is where their story started with AFL."

Hinkley noted Frederick "has worked really hard for three years to get an opportunity" to play senior AFL.

"There is as much excitement around Marty Frederick at our football club as there has been around any of our young players coming through," said Hinkley. "And not just because of his talent but also his story. It is a remarkable story and we are really proud of him."

Port Adelaide and AFL fans will see a defender "with outside wheels" with the flexibility to move to a wing.

"We enjoy what he brings," Hinkley said. "He has worked really hard after we challenged him at the start of the year asking him to play consistent SANFL football. To his credit, week in, week out, he has played at a real high level.

"He has learned a lot in a hurry.

"He is full of energy. He is the sort of kid you love having around the football club."

Port Adelaide's growing injury list is testing the depth chart at Alberton - and the game in general, says Hinkley.

"It is certainly getting a test," said Hinkley of the internal theme that Port Adelaide's list  of AFL-ready players runs to 31 this season. "And we still have some quality playing in the SANFL when you can name Sam Powell-Pepper, Rockliff, Jarrod Lienert and Trent McKenzie in the SANFL team. This still gives you some confidence that there is a little bit left there. 

"But we would like the injuries to stop," added Hinkley who in recent weeks has lost Jones, Xavier Duursma and Zak Butters to surgeons. 

"I reckon it is highlighting something in the game already this year and everyone is starting to talk about the (toll) from the length of the game (with a return to 20-minute quarters) and the reduction in interchanges (from 90 to 75).

"The collision injuries that are happening because you are out there for longer ... 

"You add an extra 20 minutes back to the game and that is a lot more collisions you are going to have to face and handle. It is a real concern for the game."

Port Adelaide hosts St Kilda with the memory of last year's home loss by 29 points lingering, regardless of the erratic form shown by the Victorian rival recently.

"They have their own problems with their form - and we don't want to be any part of their solution," Hinkley said. "We are prepared for their best."

Port Adelaide returns to the Anzac Round after the home match against the Western Bulldogs last season was cancelled by the COVID lockdown.

"Anzac Day is just a fantastic day for us as a country and we are honoured to play," Hinkley said. "We highlight Anzac Day. We acknowledge all the people who fought for us and how lucky we are to live in this country because of that. 

"It never will be undersold by our football club. We know what it means to us, so it is an absolute honour to play Anzac Day.

"Because of the significance of the day we call on what the spirit of the day means."