Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley refused to let the Dan Houston trade talks dampen his good mood ahead of the Power's Saturday night clash with Richmond, jovially quipping about the article published on Wednesday leaking the All-Australian's potential move.

Houston, a member of Port Adelaide's leadership group, remains contracted with the Power until 2027, but is rumoured to be seeking a move back home to Victoria with multiple clubs said to be interested.

"I'm looking at July 19 and thinking 'I wonder when these were gonna start'," Hinkley said on Friday.

"Cal Twomey I think!"

"I think we're in link to every other player in the article as well."

"Really? Do we spend too much time on those things?"

Nothing substantial was shared by Hinkley and the rumours were not shut down, the Power coach frankly stating Houston's current status with the club.

"Dan's in our leadership group, Dan's got a contract for another three or four years, Dan loves playing at Port Adelaide."

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Dan Houston of Port Adelaide handballs under pressure from Mitch McGovern of the Adelaide Crows during the round eight AFL match between the Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval on May 12, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Melbourne has been the only club named as a potential suitor so far, though being an All-Australian in career-best form, the defender is sure to gauge interest from many, if not all Victorian clubs.

Addressing the raging debate on dangerous tackles, following the overturn of Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford's suspensions, Hinkley provided a bit more with his words on the current state of affairs in the concussion space.

Asked if he knows what constitutes a legal tackle in today's AFL, Hinkley joked:

"You're kidding are ya? Me? Know what's legal? I'm not that smart."

"We tackle with a duty of care, and that's the best thing we can do.

"We understand the risks and responsibilities with it and we get, totally understand what the AFL are trying to achieve. The game's changed and the game needed to change."

On the lineup selected to take on Richmond, Hinkley is excited to see how his inclusions will fare in their returns from absence or elevation from reserves level, beginning with fringe addition Dylan Williams.

"Dylan's been in really good form, his last three games in the SANFL are the best he's played this year if I'm being 100% honest," the coach said.

Electric forward Willie Rioli made his return to the side from personal leave, the club providing a warm welcome for him and his two young boys at the facility in a tweet shared on Friday.

Hinkley may be more thrilled than anyone to see his forward back playing on Saturday night, adding some necessary flare to the front half in the absence of goal-kickers Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson.

"Pretty damn excited," Hinkley said.

"I'm really excited for him to be out there and enjoying playing footy."

"He's an incredibly important player to us and we've really missed him so it'll be good to have him back out there."