As far as Dom Cassisi is concerned, taking on Fremantle is the next best thing to a Showdown.

The tagging midfielder says all the hype surrounding the Power’s fierce rivalry with the Dockers is warranted. He’s expecting a blockbuster this weekend.

Earlier in the week Cassisi’s Power teammate Chad Cornes fuelled the fire heading into Saturday’s clash, encouraging the notoriously physical Dockers to ‘bring it on’.

“The competition between the two clubs is pretty serious. We’ve had some tight battles against Freo and there’s definitely a rivalry. It's probably the closest thing to a Showdown and we’re certainly looking forward to it,” Cassisi said.

Cassisi is also looking forward to fulfilling the role he will play within the team, whatever that may be.

The hard-running onballer gathered 24 possessions and took five marks last time the two sides met, but it might be his defensive ability that is most beneficial to the Power.

“I think I’ll play a mixture of both tagging and ball-winning roles this season. Jacob Surjan showed last year that he can do a few tagging roles, so hopefully that will free myself and Kane Cornes up a bit. But I enjoy lining up on the better players in the competition.”

Of the Freo players warranting close attention, usual suspects Peter Bell and Josh Carr spring to mind, as well as a fit Paul Hasleby, who missed the round 22 clash with the Power last season through injury.

However, coach Mark Williams won’t overlook the damage inflicted by Fremantle youngsters Ryan Crowley and Brett Peake, who both had 30-plus touches in round 22.

“We had a brief meeting before training on Wednesday but at this stage I could line up on any of those three guys (Bell, Hasleby and Carr), so we haven’t really decided exactly who I’ll get. I guess myself, Kane Cornes and Jacob Surjan will probably have one each. They are all good players so we’ll have to play our roles to win.”

Another thing Mark Williams will be pondering is which of the Power’s impressive young guns will make the trip to WA. After an injury-ravaged 2006, Port Adelaide selectors will have a few welcome headaches when the team is named later today.

“The young guys have definitely put their hands up for selection. It’s going to be tough. There are probably about 10 guys who could fill the one or two spots going for this weekend,” Cassisi said.

“I think David Rodan will play for sure and out of the other boys pushing for selection, probably Tom Logan and Nathan Krakouer would have to go pretty close. That’s why the coaches get paid the big bucks, because it’s their call.”

One thing the 24 year-old is more certain of is the Power’s game plan for Saturday. Even before the season officially begins Fremantle are shaping as one of the flag favourites and the task of facing the Dockers in Perth looms as one of the toughest in football.

“We’re trying to focus on our strengths, which obviously includes our speed, especially when we’re playing on such a big ground like Subiaco Oval,” Cassisi said. “We think we are a lot quicker than them and we need to show that and get them chasing us.

“Obviously they have a very tall ruckman in (Aaron) Sandilands, but we think Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan will beat him and their work around the ground is going to be very important.”

Cassisi, who was recruited to Port Adelaide from East Fremantle six years ago, will also use the trip as a chance to see his family and – depending on how the game goes – perhaps pay a visit to an old mate.“I’ll catch up with my mum, dad, brother and probably a few other family members and friends after the game. Luckily my family aren’t Freo supporters but one of my good mates is, so that will be interesting,” he said.