There is no more jarring a contrast in an AFL pre-season than to go from February sleepers Sydney to league superpower Geelong, a club that since 2007 has not known how to throttle back.

This is the challenge facing Port Adelaide, who were visibly chuffed to have defeated the Swans by 65 points in Canberra despite the fact that under Paul Roos they have never won a pre-season cup match.

The Power have talked up their depth and their body-strength this week, but will receive a far better indicator of exactly where they stand when the Cats oppose them in the 3.10pm (CDT) Saturday fixture at AAMI Stadium.

First a Port man, then a Docker and now returned to Alberton, hard-nosed midfielder Josh Carr sang the praises of his teammates' physicality this week after a summer around the gym.

"The big positive from Sunday was that we went out to play some tough, hard football. We came up against a side that prides itself in that area and I thought we did pretty well," Carr said.

"I think having put on weight has given everyone a bit confidence.

"When the boys run out on to the ground, they know they've done the work."

Geelong are arguably the benchmark for strength and power, having ridden a high energy training regime and beautifully streamlined game plan to two years of dominance spoiled only by wayward shooting for goal in last year's grand final.

Port Adelaide assistant coach Jason Cripps made the trip to Melbourne to watch the Cats bully a fledgling Adelaide in round one of the cup, and was impressed by what he saw.

"We went over and watched Geelong play and they look like they've got bigger, if that's possible," Cripps said.

"They just look so strong through the hips and with guys like Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, Cameron Ling and Joel Selwood, they are really strong around the ball.

"It's going to be a great challenge to see how much improvement we've actually had."

Cripps is aware that taking on the Cats will be as much about strength of mind as body.

"It's all good and well to put on size, but you've got to then be able to apply that to a game situation ... there's another test this week against Geelong, who has arguably been the best team over the past two years," said Cripps.

"There are plenty of guys who have been built like Tarzan and played like Jane.

"It's a mindset and it's something the players are well aware of. They know they need to have the right attitude to be able to play that tough style of footy."

Port have made a number of useful inclusions, with Steven Salopek and David Rodan returning after having time off to watch their partners give birth while Robbie Gray and Michael Pettigrew are also back in calculations.

Ruck-forward Brad Ottens and first-choice defenders Josh Hunt and Darren Milburn have been named to play their first games of the season for the Cats.

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