PORT ADELAIDE'S quintet of big men aren't only capable of playing in the same team, but they could become a considerable weapon, Power coach Ken Hinkley has warned.

During the off-season Port snared West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett (203cms), adding further height to a list that already boasted athletic ruckman Paddy Ryder (197cms), the versatile Westhoff (200cms) and key forwards Charlie Dixon (200cms) and Todd Marshall (198cms).

PADDY OK Hinkley downplays fears over Ryder injury

Despite concerns that selecting all five together would make the Power too top-heavy, Hinkley felt they would work well in tandem given their diverse skill sets, taking inspiration from reigning premier West Coast's use of its big men last year.

Entering a season in which he and Port are under pressure to return to the finals, the coach believed his talls had the potential to give his team an edge given the increased importance of centre clearances as a result of the new 6-6-6 rule.

"They'll be fitting in there pretty easy, I think, when you look at where they play," the Power coach told SEN radio on Tuesday morning.

"Westhoff plays wing, Lycett and Ryder play ruck and forward, Dixon's a forward and Marshall sits in the team as well.

"I think there's no problems at all. 'Westy' is quite an unusual beast.

"We saw with West Coast last year – and we're lucky enough we got Scott (who has) come to us – that they did it with plenty of talls. I think you use talls if you've got them.

"The game has changed from centre bounce. Good luck stopping Paddy Ryder and Charlie Dixon one-on-one if we can supply them enough ball."

In the club's JLT Community Series opener against Adelaide at Port Pirie on Saturday, only Dixon was sidelined as he recovers from a fractured leg sustained last year. He remains in doubt for the round one clash with Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday March 23.

Ryder rolled his ankle late in the hitout against the Crows but Hinkley insisted it was only a minor injury.