Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley poised to give three draftees their debut against Melbourne in Round 1

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is poised to select three recent draftees for their first AFL games in Round 1 and unveil two more new faces in his side’s season-opening clash against Melbourne at the MCG.

Zak Butters has impressed up forward for the Power. Picture: Sarah Reed

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley is primed to start a new era with the Power in the same way his AFL coaching career opened in 2013 — showing belief in new blood.

Hinkley could give three recent draftees their AFL starts — first-round calls Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Xavier Duursma — at the MCG in the same way he did with current co-captain Ollie Wines and the now departed Jake Neade and Kane Mitchell in Round 1, 2013.

The Power has 2016 second-round draftee Willem Drew also primed for his AFL start after strong pre-season performances.

WATCH ME: ROCKLIFF’S WARNING TO HIS KNOCKERS

JLT SERIES: HINKLEY BINS ‘BORING’ PORT GAME PLAN

SUPERCOACH: EVERY SCORE FROM PORT V NORTH

The Power also will give West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett and Hawthorn recruit Ryan Burton their starts in Port Adelaide colours on Saturday week.

In a symbolic twist to the AFL fixture, Port Adelaide will begin season 2019 just as it did in 2013 — against Melbourne at the MCG and with just as much pressure on Hinkley to deliver a win.

Rejuvenated Power midfielder Tom Rockliff, who played his first AFL game in 2009 against Collingwood at the MCG, says Port Adelaide can confidently put three teenagers on Australia’s sporting colosseum on Saturday week.

Connor Rozee was taken with pick No.5 in last year’s draft. Picture: Getty

“Absolutely,” Rockliff told The Advertiser of the young guns readiness to fire in real AFL conditions on football’s most-imposing field. “They are doing the right things; there is no reason why they all can’t play Round 1.

“The way Connor, Xavier and Zak competed (against North Melbourne on Saturday) and have for their first two games in club colours says they can.

“They’ve come into the group bringing plenty of energy. There is no doubt they bring plenty of life to the older boys as we watch them go about their business.

PADDY WHACKED: RYDER TO HAVE SURGERY

“Those young guys have put pressure on for spots (in the Round 1 team). Everyone has to perform; if not, you will find yourself out.

“It is a great challenge to start against Melbourne. But it also is Robbie Gray’s 200th game ... that is extra motivation for us to get up and about.”

Hinkley is putting a “lock” on Butters for the season opener.

“I’d pick him,” Hinkley said. “We could have five, maybe six, first-time Port Adelaide players for Round 1 at the ‘G … and that will be exciting.”

Zak Butters has impressed up forward for the Power. Picture: Sarah Reed

In a further sign of the new era at Alberton, Hinkley could have no more than five players returning to the MCG to relive the season-opener from 2013 — former captain Travis Boak, newly cast forward Brad Ebert, vice-captain Hamish Hartlett, new co-captain Tom Jonas and club champion and veteran Justin Westhoff.

Port Adelaide closed its pre-season campaign with a 21-point win against North Melbourne at Alberton on Saturday — and with questions to be answered this week.

Ruckman Patrick Ryder suffered a depressed right cheekbone after a clash of heads with teammate Robbie Gray in the last term. He is to have surgery that will determine his availability for the clash with the Demons.

Young forward Todd Marshall faces a match review moment for his clash with Kangaroos defender Sam Wright in the second term.

Defender Jarrod Lienert suffered a knee injury that re-opens the door for key defender Dougal Howard to return to the AFL line-up after being dropped to the SANFL trials on Friday night.