PORT Adelaide big man Paddy Ryder has put up his hand to cover the loss of injured key forward Charlie Dixon in a revamped Power forward line.

While Dixon is still hoping to return in round one from a broken leg and high ankle sprain, it's more likely he will miss the start of the season, with his recovery taking longer than expected.

Ryder will play predominantly up forward this year for the Power with the addition of West Coast premiership-winning ruckman Scott Lycett.

Ryder kicked a couple of goals in the Power's intraclub game last week as part of a new-look attacking structure.

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Midfielder Brad Ebert kicked three goals as a deep forward, youngster Todd Marshall – who has shown glimpses of his immense talent in his 10 games in the past two seasons – impressed with his leading and marking ability while the versatile Justin Westhoff offered another tall target.

Speaking to AFL.com.au at the AFL/AFLPA Indigenous All Stars Summit in Adelaide, Ryder said the Power had changed their forward structure.

"It'll be a different sort of setup going forward," Ryder said.

"We've got Brad Ebert, Justin Westhoff and Todd Marshall who will get stuck into it in round one.

"We'll get Charlie back in when he's ready, but in the meantime, if I can play that role that he normally plays as well as he can, we'll be right."

Ebert and Westhoff – last year's best and fairest – will still both spend time in the midfield.

Ryder has done the majority of the ruck work at the Power in the past two seasons.

He had a career-best year in 2017, averaging 37.8 hitouts per game (second in the League) and earning All Australian honours.

But an Achilles injury suffered in last year's round one win against Fremantle, coupled with a hip flexor complaint late in the season, reduced Ryder to 16 games and limited his impact, averaging 30.6 hitouts, ranked 13th in the competition.

Ryder, who turns 31 before the start of the season, will use his 197cm frame in attack while also giving Lycett a chop-out in the ruck.

"I've been training as a forward all pre-season," Ryder said.

"I'll have my time in the ruck, but obviously with big Scotty coming in, he can do a lot of work in there, so that frees me up to be able to go forward and help out the boys up there."