Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes is certain his former club are banged up ahead of their Round 18 clash against Carlton at Marvel Stadium.
With a 13-game win streak under their belts, Cornes believes consecutive tough battles have begun to take their toll on the team.
After having a relatively clean bill of health so far this year, the Power have been struck down ahead of the Blues clash with Charlie Dixon, Jason Horne-Francis and Trent McKenzie all out injured.
While some believe the Power are simply resting both Dixon and Horne-Francis, Cornes thinks they’re genuine outs as their next four games are set to shape their top-two hopes.
“I don't think you can afford to rest would be my view because their next four (against Carlton, Collingwood, Adelaide and Geelong) is about as tough as it gets,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.
“I don't know about that (resting them now is the right time), because I wouldn't be playing Lycett, if you're going to rest everyone, there's no way Scott Lycett plays.
“The top two is vital for them, we know how important that is. I just think they're genuinely (troubled by injury).
“I’ve got a little bit of intel clearly on this, they’re banged up and there's a lot of sore bodies.
“It’s good to see Xavier Duursma back in though, he’s a young player who burst onto the scene and hasn't recaptured the form of his first year.
“It’s a good opportunity for him and some other young players.”
Given that he is certain the Power are entering the game beaten up, Cornes believes Carlton have the perfect opportunity to hand the side its first loss since Round 3.
As Carlton have all to play for in this clash, he feels there’s no excuse for them not to get the job done under the roof.
“My point is that Carlton, if you are serious, the whole of the magnifying glass for this round should be on you,” Cornes said.
“Don't give me, ‘You're playing a top two team’, you're playing a team under the roof of Marvel with (Harry) McKay and (Charlie) Curnow up against Aliir Aliir and that is it, that’s all they've got.
“Their (Carlton’s) midfield is flying, Port Adelaide have got a ruckman on one leg, they've got no Charlie Dixon, their (Port Adelaide’s) midfield has been decimated, they’ve got no small forward.
“I'm just telling you, the magnifying glass on the Blues. If you cannot get this done, we should not take you seriously for the rest of the year.
“There’s a bit of pressure on them, how do you cope with that?
“Their form has been good, there is no excuse for them not to get that done tomorrow.”
The bounce for Saturday’s game at Marvel Stadium between the Blues and Power is set for 4.35pm (AEST).