Mark Williams describes Port Adelaide's continued development of its new-look, young list as a 'revolution'.

"We have 12 new players and more than half of our squad, including (2006 best-and-fairest winner) Brendon Lade are coming off either their best season ever or playing their first games, so there's going to be a lot of excitement in the next month or so," Williams said.

Asked if there was a 'real evolution' at the club now, Williams said: "It's actually a revolution and we want all the people to come and join the revolution. The fact is we're on a bit of a march.

"The last half of last season we really showed some great form and we're really looking to start in a positive vein. Obviously we're playing Fremantle in the first game and Adelaide in the first NAB Cup game, so there are a couple of tough games. But it's about being productive and being exciting and really seeing some young players come on.

"My expertise is in teaching and we're trying to set up our club to be the best teaching school in Australia. That's our aim and we go out of our way to try to produce players and (for them) to reach their potential quicker than any other team.

"We've produced a lot and they've been very successful. We've got a new bunch now and it's like first term at school. They're ready to go and are really looking forward to learning as much as they can."

Williams described Port as being in a 'developing year' but he said the club still thought it would improve on last year's 12th placing.

"We'd like to think we'd get up towards the (final) eight," he said. "That's certainly our goal right now. But the reality is we've got the third-youngest list and the second least-experienced, so if you add those things together, it says that things are going to have to go particularly well.

"We thought we fought out the second half of last year pretty well, and that was without (Warren) Tredrea, (Daniel) Motlop, Peter Burgoyne, (Nathan) Lonie, (Jacob) Surjan, (Michael) Pettigrew and (Brad) Symes.

"We let them off and let them get ready for this year, and I think that's proved very, very sound management.

"Warren won't play for a while but it was pleasing yesterday that he did some running and some kicking. He looks like he's moving ahead now (after knee surgery), even though he was kind of slow for a start."

Port completed its three-day visit to the Riverland area of South Australia - as part of the AFL Community Camps program - with a slick training session and a hard-fought 40-minute practice match in warm conditions at Berri Oval on Thursday.

Brett Ebert shone with three goals and a spectacular mark, and Chad and a bulkier but still super-fit Kane Cornes were always prominent, and Michael Wilson, Josh Mahoney, Jacob Surjan and Lade also won plenty of the ball.

The big interest was in the newcomers, and David Rodan, Nathan Krakouer, Robert Gray, Travis Boak, Adam Cockshell, Justin Westhoff and rookie Nathan Batsanis did some good work.

"There are opportunities for lots and lots of young players," Williams said. "Exactly who they are will be determined by them. They'll take their chances and push ahead of someone and get an opportunity and blossom in a game and stay in the side."

Williams said former Tiger Rodan had trained 'exceptionally well' through the pre-season and had 'every chance' of being in Port's first 22, probably as a midfielder.

And of the slim, elusive Krakouer, Williams said: "I like him a lot. I think he'll turn a lot of people on. He'll be one of the people who make people come to the game. He's a pocketful of excitement and does some wonderful things."

Williams again praised the AFL's Community Camps program and said Port had received an 'outstanding' reception from the people of the Riverland.