The Power sits second on the AFL ladder behind Hawthorn with a 6-1 record after seven rounds.
Ken Hinkley’s side is also second in points scored behind the Hawks, with daylight between them and third-placed Geelong.
Barlow said Hawthorn had already shown why they were premiership favourites this season, but he said the Power would pose another massive challenge when Freo plays at Adelaide Oval for the first time.
“They have some really, really strong midfielders providing options to their forwards, who are up and about,” he said.
“Jay Schulz is leading the Coleman and Justin Westhoff, who on his day could kick 10, and Chad Wingard at ground level was an All Australian last year.
“If we’re at our defensive best we can try and stop the influx of forward 50 entries for them and those weapons.”
Barlow, who returned to action in the Carlton Draught Derby after a month on the sidelines, said Freo were not surprised at Port’s rise into the top two.
“At their very best, they were as good as anyone last year,” he said.
“I remember their Showdown there, they were five or six goals down in the last quarter and got up and won.
“They went to Melbourne in a final against Collingwood – backs to the wall, no one giving them a chance – (and won).
“They’re a real workmanlike club and I have a really good respect for that kind of outlook and attitude.”
Barlow said Port’s performances reflected the character of their personnel.
“Travis Boak, Brad Ebert – heart and soul kind of players and real blue-collar leaders of that footy club,” he said.
“It’s a massive challenge for us. The guys I alluded to are midfielders, so it’s a big challenge for our midfield to win that battle and it goes a long way towards getting the result on Saturday.”
