STAR PORT Adelaide midfielder Hamish Hartlett has declared he's ready to fulfil his immense potential.

Having announced his commitment to Port Adelaide until the end of 2016, Hartlett said he didn't want to be remembered as a 'could have been' at the end of his career.

Shoulder and hamstring injuries have hampered the 23-year-old's career almost since the day he was drafted with pick No.4 at the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

But having played 22 games this year, missing two through suspension and not injury, Hartlett said his body was finally ready to let him do his thing.

"For some guys it takes a bit longer to develop and get used to AFL football … I know my ability and what I could potentially be capable of," Hartlett said.

"But potential is one of those words that gets thrown around a fair bit and I don't really want to be put in that basket of the guy that had a lot of potential but didn't really use it.

"I've been working really hard with coaches and other players to find that consistency within my game, but I think it'll come along with training more often.

"My first few years were very interrupted and it was hard to string a lot of games together."

To take a further step forward, Hartlett said he needed to become better equipped in dealing with opposition taggers.

He started 2013 in devastating fashion, averaging 27 disposals and booting eight goals in four of his first five games.

But as opposition clubs started to pay him close attention, his influence dropped off.

Coping with a tag - as well as adapting to the new interchange cap next year - means Hartlett has to become more adaptable.

"It's still something I need to work on, for sure," he said of close-checking opponents.

"I just had a quick chat to Kenny (Hinkley) about it and I need to be more versatile in the way I play and not necessarily just get on the outside all the time.

"There's still a lot of work [left to do] in the my game."

Hartlett was the third Port player to sign a contract extension this week, following veteran JaySchulz and youngster Jake Neade. 

Coach Hinkley described Hartlett as a barometer of his side - someone capable of igniting the team with skill, courage and a booming kick. 

"Hamish is one of the key players who I refer to as a 'fire starter' for us," Hinkley said. 

"He can create things that get our fire going – he clearly has the ability to be a match-winner for our side.

"His teammates love him when he's at his best, and it's a great sign for a young player that he makes others better when he's playing well."