ALIIR Aliir has put his hand up to tackle the one hole Port Adelaide was unable to fill last trade period, that of a readymade tall defender.

The Power recruited shrewdly last October as they look to return to finals this year, bolstering its midfield (Jason Horne-Francis) and small forward department (Junior Rioli).

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But efforts to lure an experienced backman, notably Esava Ratugolea from Geelong, were unsuccessful, although they were able to sign young defenders Tom McCallum and Kyle Marshall through the national draft.

But Ken Hinkley's missing piece could be found from within, according to Aliir.

Aliir, at 195cm, is the tallest of Port's key defensive batch featuring Tom Jonas (188cm) and Tom Clurey (193cm).

Despite being renowned as an intercept defender, Aliir is volunteering for the task of quelling big opposition forwards such as Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Carlton's Harry McKay.

"We were able to do that towards the back-end of last year where I was able to go on the No.1 forward and try and shut them down," Aliir said in Perth on Tuesday.

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"When I did come back from injury, I told them (coaching staff) I am not just an intercept player because that is what everyone thought, I would just fly across.

"But I can play that one-on-one. I can play tall and small.

"So I have always told Ken, whatever you need me to do, I'm happy to do it.

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"It's up to the match committee whether they explore me playing on their No.1 or (as) that intercept player. But as long as we're getting wins I don't really care where I play."

Aliir was an All Australian in 2021, his first season at Port after spending five seasons with Sydney.

But last year he had surgery on an ankle injury he suffered in round one and, while playing 19 games, struggled to hit peak form.

"My form, I was really up-and-down," he said.

"Just the inconsistency; usually you try and keep it to a minimum but mine was probably just too much of a wave and a gap.

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"I am feeling good now, I was able to complete the full pre-season with no dramas."

Port's pre-season continues in Perth with a practice game against Fremantle on Thursday, after the Power lost its match simulation to West Coast by eight points last Friday.

Rioli has been ruled out of the match against the Dockers due to illness.