PORT ADELAIDE will be without key defender Tom Clurey for its round 18 clash against Collingwood next Monday.

NINE THINGS What we learned from Round 17's result

With a bye following the last match of the home and away season, Clurey will have time to heal as the Power begin their premiership push. 

"It's a slight hammy, but it’s on the lesser side of being serious," Port Adelaide assistant coach Brent Montgomery said on Tuesday.



"He won't play this week, but we don't have any doubt that he'll be available for our game straight after that."

LADDER PREDICTOR Can your team make the eight?

Defender Jarrod Lienert looms as the likely choice to replace Clurey, but Montgomery named Sam Mayes, Cam Sutcliffe, Miles Bergman and Joel Garner as potential options too. 

Dynamic forward Connor Rozee is fine after experiencing some cramping and should be right to play.

Ryan Burton is expected to miss another game with a hamstring injury, while Zak Butters still has one more game left to serve through suspension.

The Power are likely to secure top spot on the ladder with a win over the Magpies, but even a loss will see them host two finals at Adelaide Oval with a six-point lead over third-placed Richmond.