RUMOURS of a rift between Port Adelaide captain Travis Boak and star midfielder Hamish Hartlett are ''farcical'' and a source of amusement among the players, defender Tom Jonas says.

The Power have come under intense scrutiny after their stuttering 2-3 start to the season ahead of Saturday night's crucial encounter with fellow strugglers Richmond at the MCG.

Boak and Hartlett have denied speculation they had a falling out as supporters search for reasons for the team's poor on-field performance.

"I think that's been covered enough in the past few days, but to be honest, it's pretty farcical and internally we're joking about it … it's that ridiculous,'' Jonas said on Wednesday.

''When there's pressure on and we let people down, things like that can get out of control, and that's what's happened.

"It's not so much frustrating as a little bit disappointing, that people would resort to that sort of stuff when things aren't going our way.

''We go out there and have a crack every single week.

''Things aren't quite working for us, but we're working very hard to turn it around.''

The Power won two of their first three games of the season to spark hope they could reclaim their stellar form of 2014.

But an 86-point thumping at the hands of Greater Western Sydney followed by last weekend's 48-point loss to Geelong has the Power searching for answers.

"To some extent, when things are going against you, it's good when your backs are against the wall,'' Jonas said.

''Everyone comes together, and Port Adelaide have a strong tradition of doing that, so it's a good opportunity to use that to our advantage.

''Internally, we're staying very tight.

''We all know where we want to be and we know what we've dished up so far isn't good enough, so we're working together.''

Power forward Chad Wingard will be assessed this week to see if he has recovered from a delayed concussion.

Jonas said defender Tom Clurey would need more time in the SANFL before he could be called up as a replacement for the suspended Jackson Trengove, who was handed a one-game ban for striking Joel Selwood.

Clurey returned from a foot injury in the SANFL last weekend.

"Probably not this week, he's had a fair layoff,'' Jonas said.

''Tommy's got great potential and he's played some really solid SANFL and also AFL footy.

''Give him a few strong games in the Magpies and he'll definitely come into contention.''

Jonas said coach Ken Hinkley had kept the mood upbeat at Alberton despite the team's recent struggles.

"Kenny keeps it pretty positive and fun around here,'' Jonas said.

"You don't want to make it a down and mournful place when you go to work, you want to have fun and that's the best way for improvement.

''He's out there having a bit of a laugh and a joke with the boys, but at the same time, we're all working hard.''