PORT ADELAIDE will return to SANFL action on Saturday afternoon against Adelaide as will captain Cam Sutcliffe, and coach Matthew Lokan cannot wait.

It’s been three weeks since Lokan’s side defeated West Adelaide to keep its finals hopes alive after a lockdown in South Australia put the competition on pause.

Lokan says it’s good to be back.

“It's nice to be back playing some footy and back training together,” he said.

“Most of our squad was in Melbourne for two weeks and we hadn't been able to train together. So, to be able to train and get ready to play Adelaide is exciting for our group.”

Lokan, alongside AFL-listed players, had been based in Melbourne as South Australia’s COVID-19 situation worsened.

The preparation has not been ideal but it has not impacted the feeling around the group.

“It's been different the last couple of weeks, but we feel like we're ready to go and can't wait to play Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday afternoon,” he said.

“We trained Wednesday night, obviously coming out of isolation late Wednesday evening.

“I only got the back end of training. It was great to see the contracted guys and the feeling was really good at training.

“Jarrod Cotton's been here looking after those contracted guys while I was in Melbourne and in and around lockdown.”

The last time the two sides met, Port Adelaide got the win by 14 points.

Lokan’s side had been leading comfortably until a late comeback by the Crows.

“We know that both sides have got some really quality players and some guys that have played some really good AFL football, so it'll be a good contest,” Lokan said.

“We know that when Adelaide gets going and they get their contest game going around stoppage they can be damaging. (Ruckman) Kieran Strachan is in really good form for them.”

The Magpies have been ravaged by injuries throughout the year, but reinforcements are coming in, including the captain.

“We'll get Sam Mayes and Joel Garner back into the team that both didn't play last time. Cam Sutcliffe comes back into the side as well,” Lokan said.

“We feel like we've got a really strong side. It's a really important game in the context of our season and one that we have to win.”

The game at Adelaide Oval will be played at 3:35pm as a curtain raiser to the AFL Showdown from 7:10pm.

No crowd will be permitted for the SANFL game, which will be live streamed on the SANFL digital pass.