PORT ADELAIDE ruckman Patrick Ryder has revealed he considered changing the number on his guernsey for the game in Shanghai, with the number four seen as unlucky in China. 

After a series of cultural Chinese lessons in preparation for Sunday's historic game against Gold Coast, the Port Adelaide players were made aware of the meaning of certain numbers. 

Power midfielder Hamish Hartlett has the lucky number eight on his back, but unfortunately for Ryder, the number four represents death in Chinese culture. 

Ryder told AFL.com.au he discussed the possibility of changing his number for the round eight clash, but ultimately decided against it. 

"It came up in conversation at home with my partner and we spoke a little about that," Ryder said.

"But I stopped that idea in its tracks because I didn't really want to carry on too much about it. Number four is my number and I want to wear that as much as I can."

Ryder will wear his guernsey with pride on Sunday, joking that he would just need to win over the local crowd with his aerial skills.

"I'm not going to be able to change [the Chinese perception of my number] but I'll just have to get out there on game day and woo the crowd with my jumping, so they don't look at me too badly," he said.

Despite his unlucky number, fortune seems to have been on Ryder's side over the past couple of weeks.

The ex-Don will come into the game against the Suns as one of the in-form ruckman in the competition. 

After missing all of last season through suspension, the ruckman is starting to recapture his best football, while the synergy between him and the Power midfield continues to grow stronger. 

I'm finding myself in some good form at the moment so I just want to keep that going and keep working hard," Ryder said. 

"It's going well with the midfielders, going through the vision we are doing some great things together out on the field. We just need to continue to implement what we strategise with Vossy [midfield coach Michael Voss] and play as well as we can as a unit, because when we do it goes a long way to winning the game for us." 

Ryder will face off against Sun Jarrod Witts on Sunday, who has made the most of his opportunity at Gold Coast since moving across from Collingwood late last year. 

"It's going to be a nice battle," Ryder said. 

"He's in good form so I'll have to do my best to stop him from getting the ball to his midfielders. I'll try and do my best with my midfielders and continue what I've been doing well the last few weeks."