KEN HINKLEY has backed Port Adelaide's makeshift forward line to kick a winning score in the clash with Hawthorn despite superstar Robbie Gray joining a significant injury list.
Gray will miss Saturday night's contest at Adelaide Oval because of a knee issue, with livewire Orazio Fantasia (knee) and key forward Charlie Dixon (ankle) already on the sidelines.
The Power managed just 10 goals from 55 forward entries in the round one loss to Brisbane and sorely missed Dixon's physical presence.
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They will again rely on Mitch Georgiades, Todd Marshall and recruit Jeremy Finlayson to provide tall targets in attack.
"There's definitely some challenges with getting the score on the board that we want and we've got a bit of experience missing," Hinkley said.
"But I think it's a great opportunity for people who are developing their own games and looking to improve and build as a group.
"I think that's really real for us.
"Todd and Mitch and even Jez have only had a couple of games together and I'm sure they'll get better together."
Three-time club leading goalkicker Dixon won't play at any level this week but is expected to return to action early next month.
"(The other talls are) not Charlie Dixon and the way that he goes about things but we have a game style that we like to play and we consistently play it well," Hinkley said.
"Parts of the team need to fill the roles and those forwards are expected to do that as well as anyone.
"They're not quite the size of Charlie Dixon but they certainly are encouraged to compete as much as they can."
Port will start warm favourites at home but Hinkley is wary of a new-look Hawthorn outfit under first-year coach Sam Mitchell, who has dropped triple-premiership veteran Liam Shiels from the side that beat North Melbourne.
The Hawks have regained captain Ben McEvoy and experienced star Luke Breust after both were sidelined by COVID-19 protocols last week.
"They're quite brave and aggressive with the ball and that's a sign of what Sam was as a player," Hinkley said.
"He certainly encourages his players to play and I hear his language around 'freedom' and letting them play a little bit.
"They're really well drilled already, their defence and offence are not too far apart and there's no favouring towards one or the other."
First-round draft pick Josh Sinn will debut for Port Adelaide on a night when it pays tribute to club legend Russell Ebert, who died last November.
Former Brisbane defender Sam Skinner will play his first match for the Power as a replacement for injured All-Australian backman Aliir Aliir (syndesmosis).
