Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says it’s perfect.

Before his club returns to the AFL finals for the first time since 2007, they meet a team scrapping for survival – Carlton.

If the Blues beat Port on Saturday, they’re in the finals. Lose, and they sweat on other results.

Hinkley welcomes the high-stakes encounter at AAMI Stadium as ideal preparation for Port’s finals campaign.

“Perfect,” Hinkley told reporters on Thursday.

“What a great opportunity for us. We are going to play against a side who absolutely have to win to get their place in the finals, and we’re getting ourselves ready to play in the first week of the finals.

“Importantly for us, we have to get this week right, because if we worry about next week, that will be an absolute big mistake.”

Hinkley will summon former captain Dom Cassisi from a two-match absence with a sore hamstring, and defender Jack Hombsch will return after missing seven games with a fractured cheekbone.

“It will give them a chance to be fit and available for the following week,” Hinkley said, while also ruling out resting any players from Saturday’s game.

Port have been the undoubted surprises of the season, banking 12 wins so far – in the two previous seasons combined, they only won eight games.

“We have earnt the right (to play finals),” Hinkley said.

“Our last two losses have been Geelong in Geelong and Freo in Freo – they are sides in the top of the tree.

“They made it hard work for us … (but) you get a great lesson in what you need to be able to bring yourself and what you have got to be able to get to.

“We don’t have to wait to get there. We have got to charge to get there.”