BRAYDEN Maynard's challenge is noted, and accepted.

Smarting from Carlton's 50-point belting last week, Port Adelaide is determined to return quickly to its A-game in the Saturday night home blockbuster against Collingwood.

The Magpies are top and Port second, and this will be a preview of coming finals attractions.

Maynard certainly was relishing the clash when he spoke immediately after Collingwood thrashed Fremantle last weekend, warning the Power "better bring their A-game" and noting "we are sitting on top for a reason".

Port coach Ken Hinkley - who no doubt has made sure his players are aware of these comments - publicly agreed wholeheartedly.

"We're playing the best team in the competition, by their admission ... they've said that themselves, publicly," Hinkley told reporters on Friday.

"July's a good time to be ranked one."

The Maynard comments were brought up again a few minutes later.

"They're very clear on their description of themselves, Collingwood, and they rightly own that description," Hinkley said pointedly.

Likewise, Hinkley has been clear in the wake of the Carlton loss that their vaunted pressure went missing last weekend at Marvel Stadium.

It will be a clear focus against the Magpies.

"Carlton applied enormous pressure to us last week and we didn't stand up for the first time in 14 weeks. That's fact," Hinkley said.

"Fourteen weeks. It's probably fair at this stage to judge it as an anomaly."

Star onballer Zak Butters was hurt against the Blues and Port initially feared he had a groin injury.

But Hinkley is adamant Butters will be fit for the Adelaide Oval clash.

"Zak basically sprained his hip, more than anything. It wasn't an adductor injury, which we thought it may have been after the game," he said.

"We're really optimistic around Zak being at his best."

Another big selection call was captain Tom Jonas, dropped again after he struggled in defence against Carlton in what was his first senior game in nearly two months.

Hinkley said it was more a reflection of teammates such as Lachie Jones and Miles Bergman than Jonas' form.

"He's no different to the position he was in before he played last week. He'll continue to play well at the (SANFL) Magpies ... keep yourself available for us," Hinkley said.

"Drop-off is a really harsh word. I've been more surprised at the development of people in front of him now. I wouldn't say it's a big drop-off from Tom.

"There's always a time in your career when you sit back and reflect on where you're at, what you want to do and what you want to achieve next.

"Tom will go through that at the right stage. It's not now - we're not in a retirement press conference for Tom."

Inevitably, Hinkley was asked about how Port might counter Nick Daicos, the Brownlow Medal favourite.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae has speculated Willem Drew will go to Daicos, which Hinkley dismissed.

'"Fly' (McRae) did that last time. He's enjoying his time as a coach. So good on him - we wish them all the best, we just hope we beat them," Hinkley said.

The Pies walloped Port by 71 points in round two, before the Power had the club-record winning streak of 13 games that Carlton ended.

"Our players will rise to the opportunity they have in front of them, and that is to play in a big game - one v two," Hinkley said.

"We're looking forward to that."