REWIND to Port Adelaide's round one upset of Melbourne last year and two things stand out.

Veteran swingman Justin Westhoff was the unexpected spearhead in attack, booting a match-winning five goals.

But just as unlikely was the outstanding form of much-maligned utility Jack Watts in his new role across halfback, racking up 22 disposals in the 26-point win over his former club at the MCG.

Fast forward 12 months and there's every chance Westhoff and Watts will be playing alongside each other in the Power backline.

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Whether that's as soon as the Power's round one clash with Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium depends largely on Watts and his recovery from a broken leg and dislocated ankle that saw him miss most of last season.

The nasty injury was a devastating blow for the 28-year-old, occurring early in the final quarter of the round two win over Carlton.

Up until that point, Watts had amassed 19 disposals and looked as assured in his new role as he had the previous week against the Demons.

His ability to hit targets by foot was one of the key reasons why the Power traded for Watts in exchange for pick 31 at the end of 2017.

Watts struggled to make an impact as a forward in his first season at the Power, averaging 14.5 disposals and kicking 18 goals in 19 games while also having a stint in the SANFL, but a switch to defence worked wonders and had him on the cusp of establishing himself in the side and playing a valuable role each week.

This is an important season for Watts, who comes off contract at the end of 2020.

He showed enough in his two games as a defender to suggest he can play an important role for the Power going forward.

For the seemingly-ageless Westhoff a move to defence began at the end of last season.

Used in attack at the start of 2019 out of necessity when key forward Charlie Dixon was sidelined with a broken leg, the 268-game veteran was dropped midway through the year before being trialled as a defender.

Westhoff – the Power's best and fairest in 2018 – did what was best for the team and embraced the new challenge in a positive manner.

The 33-year-old popular clubman has been coach Ken Hinkley's Mr Fix It for several years, with his ability to play as a tall forward, on a wing and now in defence.

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Karl Amon's improvement and the emergence of Xavier Duursma has the wing spots covered, while the Power are embracing the youth movement in attack.

Exciting 21-year-old prospect Todd Marshall is entering his fourth season, while the Power drafted Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades and Dylan Williams last year.

Westhoff can slot into a key defensive post alongside captain Tom Jonas and Tom Clurey, however, there could be times the veteran is squeezed out of the side if they play an opponent with a reliance on small to medium forwards.