Austin has been called into Port Adelaide's squad for their round 17 clash with North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

It will be his first taste of the top level this year after returning from an ankle fracture in the final match of last season which left him requiring surgery.

Austin played 11 games of AFL football last year and has been called in at the expense of out-of-form defender Jack Hombsch.

Port Adelaide have just one player unavailable this week, a number Hinkley lauded as "incredible" given they are so deep in the season.

Austin's form in the reserves has created pressure for spots and Hinkley didn't think twice about rewarding the Belconnen junior with a senior jumper.

"We'll continue to reward those boys underneath who are playing strong football and Logan has had to be really patient because our back six have been really good," Hinkley said.

"First and foremost as a defender you want them to be able to beat their men. That's crucial when they get into those one on one battles - can they win enough of those one on one battles?

"Yes, there's a lot of team defence that goes on but as a backline player and probably a last line defender, they need to be able to win their one on one battles.

"It's what he's been able to do at SANFL level and now he's going to step up and play on some quality AFL players."

Austin endured a hampered pre-season due to his ankle injury but has a chance to take ownership of a spot in Hinkley's top squad with a good showing against a struggling North Melbourne.

Hinkley says every player in his side puts themselves at risk if they fall out of form but has full confidence in Austin to deliver in his first top grade game of the year.

Port Adelaide are heavy favourites to consolidate their spot in the top four against the Kangaroos, a team they haven't lost to since 2014.

Austin has enjoyed an impressive run of form in the SANFL this season and will line up in the back pocket in Ollie Wines' 100th AFL game.

"From our point of view we've got great confidence in [Austin] from last year. He had a little bit of a setback in the last game and it just took him a little while to get going," Hinkley said.

"He's a really accountable defender. He's a big defender too, he's 198cm. He's a big man and we certainly like that, a little bit of extra size helps us.

"He beats his opponent, he beats opponents one on one. He helps other people set up. He's a leader, he's a young leader in our football team.

"You watch him out there, he's got his arms and he's got his mouth and he's got everything going when the ball is not around him to help other people."