ONE OF A NUMBER of new faces to Port Adelaide in the 2012 trade period, Campbell Heath's first season with the Power was solid and promising.

He played 12 games in 2013 - including the first seven - and proved a versatile defensive option for the club's coaching panel.

Heath's form throughout the year impressed the Power's defensive coach Matthew Nicks, even when playing at SANFL level.

"Cambo had an amazing year. He played very well at the start of the season to cement his spot and basically say 'I'm here and I'm ready to play,'" Nicks told portadelaidefc.com.au.

And it was because of that good form this year that Heath will be able to launch another strong claim for a spot in the Power's first 22 when it takes on Carlton in Round 1, with Nicks saying Heath's omission from the team was primarily due to match ups, not form.

"He went in and out of the side as we got further into the year, but a lot of that was due to matchups discussed at selection," Nicks said.

"It wasn't because he was in bad form.

"He's a really important member of our squad who works hard, trains hard and does everything that we ask of him.

"Most importantly the stuff he does off the oval is really important for us."

That off field work is what makes Heath such a crucial player for the Power as a whole, not just its defence.

Having come to Port Adelaide from Sydney, Nicks (himself a former Swan) says Heath has been an important part of developing a strong player culture at Alberton.

That culture is unique to Port, but Heath's exposure to the famous 'Bloods' culture of the Swans has helped him to drive standards within Port's group.

"What people don't see is the off field stuff we get from Campbell, obviously coming from Sydney where the culture is highly regarded, he brought a lot of that with him."

"He's just a fantastic person to have around the club."

So for Heath the message from his line coach is simple. If he keeps maintaining a high standard, he will not only add to the competition for spots in a pack of hungry defenders but probably find himself playing very early in the season.

"I'd be expecting him to keep up his hard work and play a similar role on our list this year and he'll be pushing really hard to be at his best," says Nicks.

"He's a guy who could find himself right back in the side from Round 1 next year - our defensive competition is going to be very intense."

portadelaidefc.com.au's STATE OF THE LIST continues on Tuesday with a review of midfielder Andrew Moore.