PORT Adelaide is toying with the idea ofreplacing injured midfielder Dom Cassisi with tall forward John Butcher insteadof a 'like-for-like' player. 

Butcher booted three goals in the firsthalf last for the SANFL Magpies last weekend in a performance coach Ken Hinkleyrated the best he had seen from the 22-year-old in the state league. 

The forward hasn't played for the Powersince kicking two goals against Greater Western Sydney in round 12, his thirdmatch for the season. 

While disappointed that Butcher didn'tperform for the entire game, Hinkley said his marking and attack on the ball inthe opening half was pleasing to see. 

"He was really good, his first halfwas really impressive - in fact, that was the best I've seen him play in SANFLfooty. 

"He ran out there and marked the ballaggressively and contested, kicked three goals, it would have been nice for himto continue that for the full game." 

Hinkley also floated such names as MattThomas, Lewis Stevenson and Paul Stewart as possible replacements for the clashagainst Essendon at Etihad Stadium. 

While Tom Logan didn't train heavily onThursday, Hinkley said he expected the defender to line up despite his injuredshin. 

The Power are the League's fastestfinishers this year, dominating 11 of their 13 final terms. 

Essendon isn't far behind, ranked third forlast quarters having won nine. 

But before his club could think aboutfinishing strongly, Hinkley said it would have to start well. 

"If we don't play hard and contestedfootball early in the first two minutes of the game, it won't matter in thelast quarter," he said. 

"We've just got to make sure thatwe're in the game for the whole way. 

"We know that Essendon [is] a greatclub this year, they're going to push us every minute of the game." 

Having defeated the last two AFL premiersin consecutive weeks, Hinkley acknowledged his side's belief was building. 

While he wouldn't be drawn into talking aboutfinals, he said it was no surprise his players felt like they were on the rise. 

"That's probably human nature that youwould feel like you're getting somewhere when you've been able to beat somequality teams. 

"Luckily for us we get another qualityone to come up against this week and we get another chance to test it." 

Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media.Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.