TOM Jonas' six-game suspension won't deter Port Adelaide from playing its brand of tough and defensive footy.

Jonas' crude hit on West Coast's Andrew Gaff last weekend has seen the Power's tactics come under the microscope.

Power small forward Jake Neade said the club would continue to be physical and follow the blueprint set out by coach Ken Hinkley.

"It's just something that's happening,'' Neade said.

''Ken is trying to bring that Port Adelaide brand back, which is tough and defensive footy.

''Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.''

Alipate Carlile and Tom Clurey are the front-runners to come into the Power side for Saturday night's clash with Melbourne in Alice Springs.

Carlile has played the past few weeks in the SANFL in his comeback from a wrist injury, while Clurey is returning from a foot complaint.

Another option is recalling first-year ruckman Dougal Howard and pushing fellow tall Jackson Trengove into defence. 

"That's the good thing about our team, we've got good depth in the Magpies,'' Neade said.

''Anyone could take Jonas' role, it doesn't have to be a big.

''Dougal's been playing well in the SANFL.''

Playing at Traeger Park will have special memories for Neade during this weekend's Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round. 

The 21-year-old played a lot of his junior football at Alice Springs, making the 750km journey from where he grew up in Elliott.

''I love playing up in Alice, I played most of my junior footy up there,'' he said.

''I have an old footy club there and with a lot of my family there, I wouldn't have it any other way.

"We're coming in pretty confident, we've won pretty much every game in Alice so it gives us a bit of a boost.

''We haven't been in great form, but I think we're slowly taking that step forward.''

The Power is undefeated in two games against Melbourne in Alice Springs in 2014 and 2015.