INJURED Port Adelaide forward Angus Monfries is unlikely to play against Melbourne next week with the Power taking a cautious approach with his hamstring injury.
Port has a week off following the Demons clash and will look to give Monfries the extra time to recover.
He pulled up sore from training on Tuesday and although he was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Tigers, scans on his hamstring revealed minimum damage.
But with an extended break looming combined with the 27-year-old's history of hamstring issues, Power coach Ken Hinkley said he would be gently nursed back into the senior side.
"It was very low grade, it was more hamstring awareness," Hinkley said.
"He was going, seriously, no more than half pace when he felt like he was tightening and he stopped…when he's signaling he's tightening for us is a sign we shouldn't be risking him.
"He said to me once he's had a hamstring [injury] every year for nine years.
"We've got a game next week and then a bye, we'll play a pretty conservative card with Angus I reckon."
Monfries has endured an injury-interrupted season in 2014 and Hinkley said it had clearly affected his form.
He missed three games with a torn hamstring early in the season and another two with a rolled ankle.
In his four games since, he's averaged just 11 possessions and booted three goals, which all came against the Sydney Swans in round 13.
Hinkley said that while he had still contributed, there was no doubt Monfries was playing below his best.
"Until he hurt his ankle he was going really well for us and since he's been back from his ankle, he himself would be the first to admit that it's been more difficult for him to play the way he'd like to," he said.
"He's done some really good jobs for us on restricting opposition half-backs at times so he's certainly been valuable to the team still."
The Power will be fighting to snap their two-game losing streak on Sunday, while the Tigers are going for their third win in a row.
Hinkley talked up Richmond's recent form, claiming the Power would have to be at their best to return to the winners' list.
"They're as good as any side when they're up and about…they may have won a couple in a row an we've lost a couple in a row, so when you look at that you go 'who's in form, who's not in form?'" he said.
"We've got to absolutely bring our best game to give ourselves a chance.
"I know that the Richmond Football Club and 'Dimma' (Damien Hardwick) will be up for the challenge.
"They're already saying they want to take a big scalp and they see us as that scalp at this stage – well we hope to take their scalp."
