FIRST, the debate was on how Port Adelaide could carry three tall forwards - All-Australian Charlie Dixon, Rising Star nominee Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall.

Then, necessity - with an increasing injury list grabbing more and more small forwards and concern for Dixon being repeatedly battered in centre-ruck duels - brought another tall with Peter Ladhams as a back-up ruckman and forward.

Now, as the small forwards such as Robbie Gray loom as recalls from injury, how will senior coach Ken Hinkley and forwards coach Nathan Bassett set up Port Adelaide's attack?

Port Adelaide hit the watershed 100-point mark on Sunday evening during the 27-point win against Greater Western Sydney in west Melbourne - and the talls delivered the goals on a 2:1 ratio by comparison with the smalls and midfielders.

Talls - 10: Dixon 4, Ladhams 3, Georgiades 2, Marshall 1.

Smalls/mids - 5: Karl Amon, Travis Boak, Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma, Orazio Fantasia 1.

And there is still Gray (knee) and Steven Motlop (ankle) to factor into the equation.

"It is a real positive for our team to have that competition," said Butters, who on Sunday marked his second match on the comeback from a second knee injury.

"It is something we did not have a couple of months ago with all the injuries. It is what you want as a good team - and as a good footy club - blokes fighting for their spots. It keeps people on edge and keeps them playing good footy.

"And those wanting to be in the team work harder. It is definitely a good problem to have as a footy club.

"I'm really excited to see Pete Ladhams, Marshall, Mitch, all the tall forwards chipping in. It is awesome to see the big boys do their thing. 

"Getting Fantasia back (from knee surgery during the mid-season break) means we are getting the small forwards back ... and there is Robbie Gray and Motlop to come back in the next few weeks. 

"You are going to need to play good footy to keep your spot - and that is how we want it at the club if you are going to push deep into finals."

Ladhams returned to the AFL line-up for the past three games against St Kilda, Collingwood and Greater Western Sydney and has kicked five goals in the past two matches while supporting Scott Lycett in ruck.

"We were debating the 'three-headed trio' a couple of weeks ago but with 'Pisty' there is his ability to go into the ruck," Butters said.

"He doesn't play like a genuine big tall guy. He has great abilities like a midfielder. He is good on ground level and pretty clean around goal. That snap (goal that opened Port Adelaide's goalscoring on Sunday) shows how quick he is in those situations. He moves pretty well for a big guy.

"All those talls bring different things to the team."

Butters missed the first derby of the season, making Showdown L at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night a major target in his planning while on the recovery track.

"I am really looking forward to it - it is a game you want to put your hand up for," Butters said. "I missed the one earlier in the year (with a knee and an ankle injury) so I have a bit to make up for. 

"I am keen to get out there and give the people of Adelaide something to look forward to; they have had a tough time recently and we want to give our supporters something to cheer for.

"I felt much more confident at the weekend. More confidence with the body. As each week goes, I will keep trying to lift. It is good to find a little bit of form," added Butters who had 22 disposals on Sunday.

Port Adelaide players are in isolation since returning from Melbourne on Monday, awaiting negative COVID-19 results from the team, GWS and the umpires before they will be cleared to gather away from training at Alberton.

The Port Adelaide players will be subject to another COVID-19 test on Tuesday evening.

"We will do whatever to help South Australia and the AFL," Butters said. "Anything to play a Showdown this week with a crowd. 

"I have had three COVID tests in the past two weeks and well over 20 or 30 (since the testing of AFL players began last season). At one stage it was two a week. It has picked up in the past couple of months. I don't even feel like I am getting tested anymore."

Butters has become the new "mummy" of the AFL with all the strapping that is holding his two shoulders and his right knee.

"They will probably start deducting it from my pay," Butters said. "I'm taking up too much tape these days. It is something we are having a bit of laugh about these days.

"Hopefully, some can start coming off because it is pretty annoying."