Port Adelaide recalls Karl Amon, views Collingwood as the ideal test to see where the season is heading

Port Adelaide is embracing the opportunity to take on the ‘benchmark side of the competition’ as it chases its third successive Friday night win, with Karl Amon earning a recall.

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PORT Adelaide has identified Collingwood as the ultimate measuring stick as the Power players chase the title of Friday Night Kings by winning their third Friday fixture in a row at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.

Coach Ken Hinkley has a settled side — only 25 players have been used this season, with Karl Amun set to return for injured star Robbie Gray — and will not jump at shadows if players such as Jordan De Goey play in a slightly different position.

But he is aware of the Magpies’s ability to turn the game quickly with a few tactical moves and has warned his players to be alert in what he called one of the game’s greatest challenges.

Karl Amun will replace Robbie Gray in the Power side. Picture SARAH REED

Steven Motlop will travel as the emergency. Picture Dean Martin

“I think the biggest thing we’ve identified is that we’re playing one or the real in-form team in the competition,” Hinkley said. “And they’ve got absolute talent on every line.

“They’ve got an incredibly strong list and we get an opportunity to take on one of the benchmarks of the competition and measure ourselves a little bit and see how we go.

“We look forward to embracing that opportunity and can’t wait to get over there.

“They’ve played great team football.

“They’ve played with such composure and speed and I heard Nathan (coach Nathan Buckley) talk and he said little tweaks for them make a significant difference and that’s what happens when you get your team rolling.

“So for us, we can’t afford to drop off.”

Hinkley’s views of the match came at a positive day for the club, with key forward Charlie Dixon having started running on grass and going through a gruelling boxing session in Alberton’s indoor facility.

It was still too early top make a call on Dixon’s return, but Hinkley is keen to bring back some of his best players who have been on the sidelines this season.

Port Adelaide training at Alberton Oval last month. Charlie Dixon. Picture SARAH REED

“He looks like he’s maybe turning a little bit of a corner,” Hinkley said. “And that’s really important for us and such a positive news thing for us as a footy team to know that Charlie and `Hammer’ (Hamish Hartlett) and some other boys underneath are going to come back into the side and aren’t too far away now.

“It feels like a good day.”

Amun narrowly edged out fellow in-form player Steven Motlop, who has also been in fine form in the SANFL and will travel with the team as an emergency.

Gray will miss the next three to four weeks after breaking his hand and having surgery last weekend.

Hinkley announced the only change after the club had a light captain’s run at Alberton on Thursday morning — an indoors run ahead of what is set to be a match under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

He said he could not have asked more for Amun.

“His form’s been really strong,” Hinkley said. “We really missed him when he got hurt from an AFL point of view.

“But he got back quicker with his knee and he’s played really strong footy.

“Now he gets back in the side.

“I think he’s been a gradual build, Karl. He’s done really well.

“He’s probably playing the most consistent football he’s been playing.”

The match doubles as a 250-game milestone for former captain Travis Boak, who is in career-best form after returning to the midfield after a couple of seasons playing as a half-forward.

Hinkley said making Boak captain was the best decision he had made since coming to the club.

Playing him in attack before allowing him back on the ball had been a call made with consideration to everybody else in the team but Hinkley said his return to the midfield had been eye-catching.

“It’s incredible (the milestone game),” Hinkley said. “I’m really proud of Trav — 250 games and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with him for six-plus years now.

“Clearly one of the best decisions I’ve made in football was appointing him captain of this footy club when we first came together in 2013.

“He’s just an incredible leader of our football club.”