PORT Adelaide's backline is set to receive a boost with defender Hamish Hartlett on track for a round one return.

The 28-year-old has rejoined the main group at training as he makes positive progress from a torn ACL in his right knee.

The Power's round one encounter with preliminary finalist Melbourne at the MCG on March 23 comes almost 11 months after Hartlett suffered the season-ending knee injury in a training drill on April 26 last year.

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Hartlett was one of the Power's best in the first five rounds of last season, averaging 19.6 disposals and 7.8 marks across half-back.

Power vice-captain Ollie Wines said the group got a lift from seeing Hartlett get closer to full training.

"He's a real spiritual leader for us and he carries the boys along," Wines said.

"It's given us a real boost going into February seeing him come out here and train.

"He's nearly back to doing everything the main group is doing, so he's had a really good recovery."

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Hartlett is also an outside chance to play in the club's second game of the JLT Community Series against North Melbourne at Alberton Oval on March 9.

The 153-game veteran started his career as a midfielder before moving to half-back during the 2016 season.

He could revert to the midfield while Wines recovers from a shoulder injury early in the season.

"Probably one (player) who talks himself up a bit is Hamish Hartlett," Wines said.

"Hammer's back on the track flying around and he still bangs on to me about how he got left out of the mids four years ago, so I think he's pretty keen to get back in there.

"Perhaps he can go through there."

Defender Trent McKenzie is also back with the main group after shoulder surgery in late November.

Former captain Travis Boak, forward Aidyn Johnson and ruck Peter Ladhams were on modified training programs on Wednesday.

Key forward Charlie Dixon (leg) didn't train while second-year forward Kane Farrell was put through a gruelling block of running before the main group hit the track.