ALIPATE Carlile and Port Adelaide have experienced first-hand the destructive capability of Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead, who sunk the Power in last year's preliminary final with six goals.

The 28-year-old then kicked another five in the Grand Final against the Sydney Swans.

Weighing in at 100kg and standing at 193cm, Roughead has the power and size to outmuscle opposition defenders, but also possesses the athleticism to embarrass opponents at ground level.

As Port's biggest-bodied defender, Carlile will spend considerable time on the star Hawk at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, although he insisted the Power's back six would work as a unit rather than engage in one-on-one battles.

With Hawthorn's forward line also boasting such guns as Luke Breust, Jack Gunston and Paul Puopolo, Carlile will be hoping his teammates hold up their end of the bargain.

For all of that depth, Roughead is Hawthorn's undoubted star in attack; he booted 147 goals in the Hawks' back-to-back premiership campaigns and has 11 majors already this year.

"He's a freak of the game," Carlile said.

"He was quiet last week, wasn't he? Just the 28 touches and seven goals … He's having a great year again, he's one of the best power forwards in the game.

"He's so hard to match up on because he can get it done in the air and on the ground … but in saying that they've got five other forwards down there who are pretty impressive as well.

"Hawthorn has one of the best and most versatile forward lines going around.

"They've got 15 blokes at any stage who can roll through the middle … it's tough, but we've just got to back our structures."

Carlile said the key to minimising Roughead's output was restricting him higher up the ground.

As is the case with former Hawk Lance Franklin, Carlile didn't think Roughead could be stopped; the best a defender could hope to do was hold him back.

"He's a bloke who could have five kicks and kick five goals straight, it's about trying to curb his influence up the ground especially, when he gets involved in scoring involvements," Carlile said.

"We just have to try and stop him as best we can.

"He's of the same ilk as 'Buddy' (Lance Franklin), in that you're not a chance to shut him completely out of the game, but you're a chance to curb his influence."