REGARDLESS of when or where Port Adelaide has its AFL qualifying final rematch with Geelong, there is one unavoidable change at Alberton - replacing team leading goalkicker Orazio Fantasia.

Midfield coach Jarrad Schofield notes there is no shortage of options at match committee to cover the loss of the Essendon recruit while Fantasia recovers from minor knee surgery, after opening his Port Adelaide story with 19.19 in 10 games.

"We do have players who can fill that role and players who can push forward," Schofield said. "Kane Farrell can go forward (from a wing). Riley Bonner has shown he can go forward (from half-back or a wing). 

"Guys out of the side (in SANFL ranks), there is Boyd Woodcock in good form; Sam Mayes has played that role.

"But internally (from the match 23 who beat Fremantle at Adelaide Oval before the mid-season bye) we can shuffle a few players."

Schofield paid tribute to Fantasia's first impressions as a Port Adelaide player saying: "He plays predominantly high half-forward, in and around the football with his speed on transition being elite. And he hits the scoreboard, and he would have a few more if he had kicked straighter."

Half-back Ryan Burton, who finished the 46-point win against Fremantle in round 11 with a knee concern, is clear of any doubt this week.

"He looked sharp at training ...," said Schofield of Burton. "The (mid-season break) has been good for him."

And not just Burton.

"Any little break in this environment is good for the players, especially guys who are a little bit sore or banged up," Schofield said. "And it was a great opportunity for those guys who have missed a fair bit of footy to re-engage with the group by catching on any lost time.

"Not only physically, but mentally it is great to refresh yourself. Our guys got around each other and had a good break and some good training since then and we are prepared to go."

Beyond the forced change by corrective knee surgery to Fantasia, there also is the form lines to consider while Port Adelaide seeks more consistent and powerful performances from individuals within the team system.

"We have some guys who are playing some really good football - and some guys who are thereabouts," Schofield said of a team that scored a B grading from senior coach Ken Hinkley during the break.

Port Adelaide is by the most-recent AFL fixture to play AFL grand finalist Geelong at Adelaide Oval at 7.10pm (SA time) on Thursday.

"I'd like to think we are playing Geelong - and our plan is we are going to play them here (at Adelaide Oval)," Schofield said at Alberton on Monday.

"We are preparing for Thursday night here ...

"We will cope well (if there is a change). We will adjust to whatever is presented to us. Our guys are professional enough to make those adjustments, but we can't look too far ahead."

Fifth-placed Port Adelaide (8-3) plays third-ranked Geelong (8-3) in a true test of both teams' rights to be classified as top-four contenders to September's finals race.

For Schofield, this match becomes another great litmus test of Port Adelaide's eagerness for contested football.

"It is a great challenge," Schofield said while reflecting on the differences of the 16-point win in the qualifying final at Adelaide Oval and the 60-point loss at the Gold Coast in round 12 last season.

"Up in Gold Coast there were some variables as to why we performed as we did. But going into the final, you can't shy away from the contest side of things. That has been proven in any game that has been played in the AFL this year - the good sides have their contest game at elite. That is not just in the middle but at both ends of the ground.

"That was one part of game that as a collective group, all 18 men on the ground, our ability to hunt the footy and also shape the ground was a positive for us (during the final last year).

"There is no better way to test yourselves. Every week, we want to keep improving - and we have a really good challenge ahead of us in Geelong, a team that has shown us that if you allow them to have the footy then they will take full control.

"Our last two outings at Adelaide Oval we have done well. We are ready for the challenge."

Port Adelaide's injury list this week could make for more pleasant reading after week-on-week of setbacks for some players. The most notable progress is with young midfielders Zak Butters (knee and ankle) and Xavier Duursma (knee).

"Butters ran (on Saturday) for the first time since (knee) surgery," Schofield said. "And it is good to see the smile on his face. It is good to see him moving.

"And Xavier Duursma is progressing really well," added Schofield of the pair who were injured during the home win against Richmond on April 9 in round 4.

"Without putting too much of a timeframe around that, we are looking at a month before we see him play. Xavier is tracking well. It is pleasing for both boys - and for the playing group to see them up and about."