Games between cross-town AFL rivals Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows should be reserved for the real deal of the home and away season, former Power skipper Warren Tredrea says.

The Port forward said he understood the issues, including travelling, behind the AFL scheduling the two teams to meet in the first round of the pre-season competition at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

But he said he was disappointed to see the Power listed to meet Adelaide in the pre-season opener even as he admitted there might be some extra feeling in the game because it was against the Crows.

Tredrea said if it was up to both clubs their games would probably be reserved for blockbuster showdowns during the home and away competition.

"I guess it's a full dress rehearsal for the real stuff starting in about six weeks time," he said.

"We're still in preparation mode in my head, even though it's a game against Adelaide and it's a NAB Cup game.

"My preparation is still for round one and as time goes on all you worry about is the real big stuff."

Tredrea said while Port wanted to win every game it played it would use the pre-season competition to tinker with new defensive and attacking strategies and to give opportunities to younger players.

He also brushed aside suggestions that Adelaide officials had been secretly filming Port Adelaide's training sessions.

"We pinch ideas from other clubs as well. They watch us and we watch them," he said.

Crows midfielder Chris Knights said he was happy to play against the Power at any time.

"It's a good opportunity to play a local game in front of our supporters here in Adelaide," he said.

"It's obviously not the same as a showdown.

"But I don't mind playing Port Adelaide in a practice match."

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