'Cement your spot': Port's challenge to young brigade

Port Adelaide's open exploration of its playing list comes with a crucial caveat, assistant coach Stuart Dew says.

The Power, who host St Kilda in the finale of Gather Round at Adelaide Oval on Sunday night, prefer to describe their current phase as one of transition rather than a rebuild.

But Dew says there is still a simple expectation on a batch of largely as-yet unproven talent in Josh Carr's first season as head coach: perform.

"The growth, you never want to put a ceiling on anything," Dew told reporters on Saturday.

"Obviously with some injuries, we're exposing our list - so you have got to make the most of the opportunity and not waste it.

"You can go back to the same things or you can explore the list whether that is via selection or positions played.

"We are forced into that at the moment but also we expect that those guys that come in play their role and get the job done.

"We're certainly not just going through the motions ... there's opportunity for the youth to cement their spot."

Port, with two wins and two losses, enter the clash against the Saints (one win, three losses) with almost a quarter of their squad on the injury list.

They include captain Connor Rozee, who won't feature for at least another three months because of a severe hamstring tear, key backman Esava Ratugolea (knee) and livewire Sam Powell-Pepper, who remains a couple of months away from returning from another a knee reconstruction.

But tall utility Todd Marshall will return to face St Kilda after overcoming an ankle injury.

"Toddy coming back in is good for us, a little bit more experience and he can be flexible," Dew said.

"He's good in the air, his skills for a big man are really good and obviously he can play forward or back if things happen during the game."

Marshall replaced Mitch Zadow while St Kilda summoned Hunter Clark and Hugh Boxshall, with Liam Stocker and Dougal Howard both dropped.