TIME in the deep end has worked wonders for the development of Port Adelaide's Jack Hombsch and Tom Clurey, who have led the side's defence in the absence of Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove.

Carlile was a late withdrawal from the Power's first NAB Challenge game against Adelaide with quad tightness and was again absent in the side's 25-point win over Essendon on Monday night.

Trengove jarred his knee at training before the NAB Challenge and is yet to play a trial game.

In the pair's absence Hombsch and Clurey have assumed the roles of the side's key backmen and looked increasingly comfortable with the responsibility.

Clurey took 11 marks and collected 14 disposals against the Bombers, while Hombsch also managed 14 touches as well as a game-high 10 one per centers.

Trengove and Carlile are likely to return for the Power's trial against St Kilda on March 8, but Hombsch said he and Clurey's exposure had them well placed to continue their key roles if needed.

"Playing these last few games has put us in the deep end a little bit … and when they come back in it's just a good learning curve for us and hopefully when we need to step up we'll be able to," Hombsch said.

"It's definitely been a good opportunity for myself and Tom to lead the defence a little bit the last few weeks but 'Jacko' and 'Bobby' are terrific defenders ... they'll obviously get first crack at it.

"Against the Crows last week we weren't as good as we would have hoped but I felt like last night with Tommy Jonas another experienced player back, it was a lot better."

Hombsch, 20, played six games for the Power last year, while Clurey's pre-season has seen him emerge as a possible debutant in 2014.

At 193cm and 89kg but with an extreme running capacity, the 19-year-old has excited coaching staff over the summer with his ability to not only restrict key forwards but also work off them offensively.

"He's come a long, long way – he's super fit and he's got a pretty big body," Hombsch said.

"He gets a bit of the ball as well in an offensive [capacity] … everyone's stoked the way he's going."