Port Adelaide will persist with its dysfunctional forward line with Power coach Mark Williams optimistic his young and under prepared players can lift against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.

The Power has been inconsistent in most areas of the field during their winless start to the season but it's their attack that has come under recent scrutiny.

Skipper Warren Tredrea, Brett Ebert and Justin Westhoff are not playing at their best with none of them kicking a major in Showdown XXIV.

But Williams said he was considering a range of variables when naming an unchanged line-up for this weekend's game.

"We probably take a long-term view on our players and understand the inconsistency of young players or players that have had no preseasons," he said.

"If we stick with them and give them enough time they'll come good and hope it clicks this weekend."

"Every person deserves a different length of time depending on who they played on or how many times the ball came inside (the forward) 50."

"If the ball isn't coming inside 50 it's pretty hard for the forwards to score."

Williams did admit changes would eventually need to be made if the Power's losing streak continued.

"Everyone needs to perform, you get so many opportunities and if you don't deliver we look to who is available in the SANFL and how well they are playing," he said.

One squad member that performing well at the local level and is pushing hard for selection is Adam Thompson.

Williams said Thompson was close to selection but added there wasn't a spot in the line-up for him yet.

"Given the fact that we were pretty competitive last week and most of the onballers played well it made it difficult for him," Williams said.

"He was outstanding and it was a couple of great games in a row so if someone was out with the flu tomorrow he'd be in for sure."

"He's moving along nicely. He seems to be one of those guys that have taken the long route to the top of the mountain. History may well say those players that do it tough early actually last longer in the game and appreciate it more."

Meanwhile the Power was reluctant to name one opponent to tackle the dangerous Lions' forward Jonathan Brown.

"There will be Chad (Cornes), there will be Toby (Thurstans), Alipate (Carlile) and (Troy) Chaplin any of those four at any time," Williams said.

"I don't exactly know what they (Brisbane) are going to be doing, so if Brown is going to play and stand in the goal square all day Chad Cornes won't be playing on him."

Brown isn't the Power's only concern. Williams said his team had a challenge negating the Lions' experienced midfield.

"We are going to shutdown one or two and depending on who is hot we'll try and shut them down," he said.