Hurting Hawks suits Carlile

Matthew Pavlich on the run with Alipate Carlile in hot pursuit at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak has denied there's an alcohol ban at the Power, saying the players are professional enough to know when it's the right time to do it.

ALIPATE Carlile couldn't help but smile when he was reminded neither Jarryd Roughead or Lance Franklin would be in Hawthorn's line-up for Port Adelaide's top-of-the-table clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

Carlile has played the Hawks 10 times in his career — for a 4-6 record — and stood either Roughead or Franklin each time.

Franklin, who kicked 20 goals in six games where Carlile was his primary opponent, is of course at Sydney these days.

And Roughead — who Carlile has had better success against, holding him to six goals in four games — has been sidelined by suspension for his high bump on Swan Ben McGlynn.

Carlile joked "hopefully there's a match up for me" but he's likely to start on David Hale and shift to ruckman Ben McEvoy when he rests forward.

"We'll just mix and match like we've been doing all season," he said.

"We respect Hawthorn for what they've done over the last few years and it's a massive challenge for us.

"They could bring in anyone. Their list is that deep they can bring in some superstars."

Saturday will be Port's first night game at Adelaide Oval and Carlile noted how greasy conditions were during Adelaide's win against Collingwood last Thursday.

But he's confident Port can make the necessary adjustments and has not lost the momentum of a five-game winning streak through the bye.

"We've come back to training like it's a normal week," Carlile said. "Kenny still gave us a hiding on Sunday."