PORT Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Primus has challenged the club’s inconsistent contributors to back up Saturday night’s performance against Fremantle with another strong showing in Darwin this weekend.

Coach Mark Williams praised the efforts of out-of-sorts players Troy Chaplin, David Rodan, Brendon Lade and Josh Carr following the win over Fremantle.

And Primus said it was important the quartet carried their form into Saturday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

“Carry knew it was a big game for him and David Rodan has been good for the past couple of weeks,” Primus said on Monday.

“The next two weeks are pretty big teams that we’re playing against and it’s going to be a pretty big factor to see how those guys go against some really good opposition.

“But it’s certainly pleasing to have some of our midfielders and backs get into some good form.”

Forward Daniel Motlop (ankle) should return to the side for the trip to his home state and late withdrawal Robbie Gray (gastro) is expected play on Saturday night.

However, first-year player Hamish Hartlett is likely to miss another week with a hamstring injury and midfielder Travis Boak (knee) will be sidelined for at least a month.