Port Adelaide's claims of a more robust style will be given their sternest test yet when the Power face the Western Bulldogs and Barry Hall in an AFL NAB Cup semi on Friday night.

The Dogs and the Power have been the March hares of the league, both notching a pair of striking victories over decent opposition while showcasing new elements to improve their 2009 models.

Hall has made a difference to the Bulldogs that is quantifiable by his six goals against Hawthorn, and the Power have excelled in attack while also restricting Adelaide and West Coast to modest tallies.

Port coach Mark Williams said the Etihad Stadium fixture would be against a "white-hot" opponent.

"We know the Bulldogs play the fastest of any team and they've got so many runners and so many flexible players," he said on Thursday.

"They were a kick away from playing in a grand final, and they've got all their players up and going except (Brad) Johnson, maybe (Ben) Hudson and (Daniel) Giansiracusa out this week but they might just be getting rested.

"They haven't played in many finals of late so I'd be thinking they're white-hot as far as ready to go and wanting to prove something."

Williams acknowledged the Power's numerous obstacles this week, having returned from a trip to Perth and training through a shorter week than the Bulldogs, but he resolved not to make any excuses.

"Every year we evolve, we're always about scoring and the first couple of weeks you've seen we can score still, but I think we've been much better placed with our defence, both in our defence and stopping the opposition getting run-ons against us," he said.

"It's going to be a massive test this week against who we would factor probably the most prepared side going around.

"We've had a short week, coming back from 40C, we've had to fly twice, give us as many excuses as you like but we're not using any of them, we're going out there and really looking forward to the opportunity."

Dogs coach Rodney Eade said Hall would be given a greater share of time on the ground, while reinforcing there was no set expectation for him beyond that of a team player.

"There's no expectation, there's no pressure on him to be able to kick goals, we can kick goals anyway, so that's not an issue," Eade said.

"As long as he fits into the team ethos, which he is a team-orientated person, and the main thing is to get him some game time.

"He needs game time over the next couple of weeks so he can be right for round one."

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