PORT Adelaide's defence is drum tight, conceding a record low 69 points in the return to full-length AFL games this season. But no defender can rest on this laurel while, as key defender Tom Clurey notes, there is serious pressure with the growing options at the selection table at Alberton.

"Definitely; there are not too many injuries in the back line at the moment so it always tight," said Clurey at Alberton on Thursday. "And the guys in the SANFL - Jarrod Lienert, Joel Garner and Trent McKenzie - are all in good form, so there is always pressure on for spots. 

"That is good - that is what you need. It means you have to keep playing well."

Clurey notes the arrival of Sydney recruit Aliir Aliir has presented a significant change to the look and work of the Port Adelaide defence.

"He has helped massively," Clurey said of Aliir. "Everyone has seen what he can do - his intercepts, his marks and his offence as well. It all adds another factor to the back line. And everyone around him has stood up as well.

"Plus the new guys who have come in this year ... Lachie Jones, young Marty Frederick, Miles Bergman. Everyone who has come in has done his job terrifically.

"That's what we rate ourselves on," added Clurey of the meanness shown on the scoring sheets this year. "But there also have been a few games this year when we have been a bit too easy to score on - I know two weeks ago against Brisbane in the first quarter they were almost scoring every time they went inside 50, so we do mark ourselves pretty hard.

"If we can keep the score down to a minimum, that is one part of our job done," said Clurey of a defence that also is primed to start Port Adelaide's scoring chains.

Clurey was judged by the Port Adelaide coaching staff as the best-afield for winning his battle with Coleman Medal-leading Crows key forward Taylor Walker in Saturday night's Showdown XLIX win at Adelaide Oval.

"It would have been nice to get some silverware; I haven't got anything since I was 10 I don't reckon," said 27-year-old Clurey who was pipped by team-mate and former captain Travis Boak as he collected his third Showdown Medal.

"But that is the least of my worries. I am just happy to do my job and happy with whoever gets the medal."

Clurey held Walker goalless during Port Adelaide's 49-point win to add a strong note to his long-running battle with the former Adelaide captain.

"It was a pretty solid game," said Clurey of his performance. "All the backs were pretty solid throughout the night. But the job is made a lot easier when there is pressure on the ball coming down; the midfielders and forwards were excellent in that part of the game by putting pressure on and forcing long balls down the line that makes it easier for us.

"He (Walker) has definitely got me on a few I would have thought. I have had some not-too-bad ones as well. It is always a good match-up. He is obviously a good player and is in tremendous form this year and kicking plenty of goals, so I was definitely pleased."

The challenges continue to come with this weekend's top-of-the-table clash with the second-ranked Western Bulldogs delivering Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce as threats to control at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

"They are in good form, so it becomes a massive game on Saturday night," Clurey said. "We will have to be on our best game again. “Both those boys are in good form, kicking goals and taking plenty of marks."

Port Adelaide will be forced to replace ruckman Scott Lycett while he serves a four-match ban from the AFL tribunal for his tackle on Adelaide forward Ned McHenry. Clurey has backed senior assistant coach Michael Voss' verdict that Port Adelaide can rely on either Peter Ladhams or the untried Sam Hayes.

"Both of them are in good form," Clurey said. "Whoever comes in will do their job. Disappointing for Scott, but we move on.

"Hayesy has not had an opportunity in the AFL yet, so it would be awesome to see him get a gig. He is a big, tall man who can take a mark and is good in the ruck. He has come on heaps in the past 12-24 months. He is pretty much AFL ready, which is exciting.

"'Pistol' (Ladhams) has been in good form, kicking a few goals and good in the ruck as well, so either way ..."