In the annals of Port Adelaide's AFL history, the club's inaugural game against Collingwood in 1997 stands out among round one fixtures.

Twelve years later and Sunday's opener against Essendon at AAMI Stadium could become a match of similar significance.

The Power's first game of 2009, it is also the first since the club's extensive financial troubles were revealed, and the first since concerted efforts were made to re-connect the club with heartland supporters.

At the playing and coaching levels, Port are acutely aware of the need for a fast start, one that will get supporters talking about, and walking towards, the Power's home games.

At a time of financial uncertainty, there has never been a more urgent need for Port's players to deliver than now.

"We view it as an important game, everyone would like to start well, it's great for us as a team, great for the membership and the marketing and all those things as well," said coach Mark Williams.

"We know we play in WA next week which is going to be a tough trip as far as going over there, so we would like to start positively.

"Last year we had a really poor record here, our poorest ever, so we want to get one up straight away.

"The image (we want fans to take home) will be that `gee this club is going somewhere, let's jump on'."

Fortunately for Williams and his coaching staff, the squad they have at their disposal this year and this week is maturing nicely, helped along by the re-acquisition of Josh Carr.

Alongside skipper Dom Cassisi, Carr will be a vital barometer for the Power's defensive pressure, tackling and one per centres, all the things that dropped away last year to help a team of undoubted attacking talent slide to a disconcerting 13th with just three home wins.

"Attack is a nice, trendy thing to talk about, but be understanding that our club is going to play defensive footy," said Williams.

"We're going to tackle, we're going to chase and we're going to play tough footy as well. So for people thinking we're just going to go one way, we won't be satisfied with that.

"Our players are very mindful of the fact that everyone's got a role to do as far as defence is concerned and they'd better play it."

The Bombers side will have defence on their minds too, after a pre-season in which coach Matthew Knights made concessions to a less open game style that were a marked change on the relatively free roaming play of the past.

Among Essendon's most outstanding performers is ruckman David Hille, whose bulk will be useful in testing the effectiveness of Port tandem Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan after their stars sank markedly in 2008.

"I think they were both disappointed with the output from last year," Williams said.

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