A GOOD part of the competition is waiting for Port Adelaide's John Butcher to get a clear run at proving his talent as a key forward. 

Because they know he can improve a team that has already shown it is on the up.

In the past four rounds, when the Power has shown it is genuine against some quality opposition, it appears to have lacked another permanent key forward to support the hard-working Jay Schulz. 

In the past month, Port Adelaide sits second in the AFL for the inside 50 differential, averaging 14.8 more inside 50s than its opposition and fourth for percentage of time forward, yet it sits just 15th for percentage of scores once inside 50. 

For the season, it sits 12th for marks inside 50. 

Port Adelaide thinks that with reasonable continuity, Butcher can be that extra key forward. 

They are aware of the 22-year-old's talent, happy with his effort and think misfortune and circumstance are the main reasons he is not in the seniors right now. 

Essendon's Cale Hooker dominated in the air in the Bombers' back half on Sunday when Port Adelaide was forced to move Jackson Trengove out of attack early on in the game. 

Hooker's eight intercept marks made it harder for Port Adelaide to defend all over the ground and crumbers were left starving like the family dog after a well-catered barbecue. 

Butcher's presence would have given the Bombers' defenders more to worry about. He is a naturally defensive player who likes to hunt the opposition. 

That ragged mop of hair gave him a sheepdog look that matched his on-field nature.

At worst, he would have neutralised the aerial dominance of the Essendon defenders and brought the ball to ground. 

That would have been important because although Schulz has kicked 28 goals, he has received good support at ground level from Chad Wingard (26 goals) and Angus Monfries (22). 

Justin Westhoff has chimed in with 20 goals, despite playing as a utility for most of the season. 

A bout of tonsillitis kept Butcher out of the game against the Sydney Swans and he has not broken back into the side since. 

Circumstances saw Port Adelaide try Jackson Trengove inside its forward 50 against Collingwood (he doubled as a defender when required against Travis Cloke) and start him forward against the Bombers too. 

However Ken Hinkley said post-game that Trengove's long-term future was as a key defender. 

The midfield looks settled and is proving itself as capable defensively as it is at creating opportunities. 

It has conceded the fourth-least points against for the season, an incredible turnaround in such a short time and one that makes it very deserving of its position within the eight. 

The use of quick handballs around the stoppages to release a player into space has been superb. Its tackling has improved marginally, too. The team averages 67.7 tackles per game so far this season (making it fourth in the competition).  At the same time last season it was averaging 65.5 tackles a competition and was placed fourth. 

In recent weeks most of Port's scores have been generated from the defensive side of the midfield and it is averaging 60 points a game from turnovers to be the fourth-most adept at creating scores from turnovers. 

Creating turnovers gives forwards the chance to mark unguarded as they can catch their direct opponent out. 

A quick kick forward from a turnover can play into the hands of a talented tall. 

With Westhoff ruled out of Port Adelaide's coming clash with Hawthorn, Butcher is right in the mix for a return. 

But he is a player that will get better, rather than being anywhere near a make-or-break stage. 

Drafted at No.8 in 2009, Butcher has never played more than five consecutive games in his 15-game career, with injury delaying his debut and then providing regular interruptions ever since. 

Port Adelaide looks better already and it has Butcher waiting in the wings. 

No wonder excitement is building. 

Jay Schulz 28

Chad Wingard 26

Angus Monfries 22

Justin Westhoff 20 

Travis Boak 12

Hamish Hartlett 11

Jay Schulz 28

Justin Westhoff 19

Matt Broadbent 13

Brad Ebert 12

John Butcher 11

Paul Stewart 11

Brett Ebert 8