Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has challenged two of his most gifted players to find improvement from within to salvage their AFL seasons.

One of them, key midfielder Hamish Hartlett, is struggling to cope with taggers.

The other, game-breaking forward John Butcher, hasn’t played an AFL match this season as he battles to live up to his nickname of ‘The Future’.

Hartlett has been suffocated by taggers in his past two matches, managing just seven and 10 disposals respectively.

Hinkley says the blue-chip midfielder is being taught an invaluable lesson, but must work harder to pass the tagging test.

“Hamish himself has to step up,” Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.

“Hamish is getting some experience on what it takes to be an elite player in the midfield. He has just got to step up himself a little bit.”

Butcher hasn’t played an AFL match since having hip surgery in the middle of last year.

More post-season surgery robbed the 21-year-old of a meaningful pre-season and his lack of form in second-tier SANFL ranks was concerning Hinkley.

“We would love Butch to be in some really good touch,” Hinkley said.

“Physically, he’s okay – he’s ready to play football. He just needs to have just a solid game of SANFL football where he has got some confidence.”

Defender Jasper Pittard (hip) has been ruled out of Sunday’s away fixture against Carlton.

“We thought he’d only miss a week. Now he could perhaps be another two or three weeks – we’re not sure,” Hinkley said.