Power won 35 possessions in a vintage display against West Coast, and he says with Simon Black's likely return, an in-form Travis Johnstone (37 disposals against the Eagles) and round one NAB AFL Rising Star winner Daniel Rich in their side, they're developing a formidable unit themselves.
“It (Carlton) is a great midfield and they’re a great young side and you saw what they did to Richmond on the weekend, but I’m pretty sure that ours can match it with them.
"We’ve got a lot of exciting young players coming through our midfield so it will be a good game.”
The Blues snuffed out the Lions' finals hopes in round 21 last season, hauling in a 32-point lead at three-quarter time to win by six points.
The Lions co-vice captain says they've sought to rectify the problem of last quarter fadeouts under new coach Michael Voss.
"Last year we played football a little bit one paced, which was pretty hard and fast," Power said.
"This year Michael's worked a lot on controlling the tempo of the game, being able to play fast when the time is right and to slow the game down when the opposition is getting on top."
Power leads the competition after round one for contested possessions (20) and clearances (13), while he sits in second place for disposals behind teammate Johnstone.
The 29-year-old is happy with his form.
“If you asked me a couple of weeks ago I would have said I was battling, but it was nice to get a couple of kicks on the weekend and just to play in a good win, especially in Michael’s first game as coach,” Power said.
He is feeling the benefits of a tough, physical pre-season which included an emphasis on pressure and contact work.
“A couple of times I’ve laid down at night and said to the wife, 'I don’t know how much longer I can do this for', but I feel pretty fresh now; we’ve tapered off now.”
The triple premiership player is enthused by a list of young players who are bigger, stronger and fitter this season, including Mitch Clark, Cheynee Stiller, Bradd Dalziell, Michael Rischitelli and Jared Brennan.
He reserved special praise for 28-year-old former Demons midfielder Johnstone, whose disposal count last weekend was his highest since joining the club in 2008.
“Travis is as fit as he’s ever been and I think he now realises how big an influence he can have on the group. When Travis is playing well the team is a very good side,” Power said.
