Ruckman Brent Renouf and midfielder Darren Pfeiffer will play for Port Adelaide for the first time on Saturday, alongside John Butcher who has been recalled for the game against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.
The Power has rested big man Jarrad Redden and omitted Cameron O’Shea and Matt Thomas from the line-up beaten by Sydney at AAMI Stadium in Round 2.
[ Related: Thomas, Shaw out for Pies ]
Renouf was traded from Hawthorn at the end of the 2011 season, having played more than 50 games for the Hawks - including the 2008 Premiership.
Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus said: “Brent’s been up and playing for the Redlegs for a couple of weeks now, and has built his fitness through the pre-season.
“He underwent rehab for a bit of a knee issue which is behind him now and he’s rucked well at AFL level in the past, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Pfeiffer gets his chance at a third AFL club, having spent time on the Adelaide and Carlton lists.
The 24 year-old was promoted from the Power’s rookie list in March after a spirited showing during the pre-season and NAB Cup.
“Darren can play as an inside midfielder and has flexibility to play for us at half-back which is important,” Primus said.
John Butcher will line-up for his sixth game with the Power, having missed two weeks with a hamstring complaint that arose during the Round 1 victory over St Kilda.
“He probably could have played last week, but we took no chances and we look forward to John bringing his competitive spirit back to the ground on Saturday,” Primus said.
[ Related: Primus talks tactics on Coach's Corner ]
Redden will not play at SANFL level with the Eagles, with the Power requesting he rest after an impressive introduction at AFL level over the past two months.
O’Shea will play for South Adelaide after being omitted from the Power line-up where he played as a substitute against Essendon and Sydney.
“We have complete belief in what Cam can do,” Primus said.
“He played well against the Saints and while he didn’t have a good game the following week, we won’t be dropping players after one bad performance.
“But now he can go back and work on what he needs to and push his way back in at AFL level. Cam’s a very talented and versatile player who did everything asked of him throughout the pre-season and he’ll be here for a long time.”
Thomas goes back to Norwood having played in the Power’s first three games of the season, have overcome a knee injury during the Summer.
“He’s a bit unlucky given that he’s been working hard, but he’s not playing to the standard that we need from him as an inside mid-fielder,” Primus said.
David Rodan will spend at least another week at SANFL level.
“David needs to get better on the defensive side of his game, on what he does when we don’t have the ball” Primus said. “He knows that and we know that he can do it.”
Collingwood has been the centre of attention this week following a loss to Carlton, and has announced the star players Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas will not take on the Power.
“We now how good Collingwood are and we’ll have to be at our very best,” Primus said.
“If we come to the game with an attitude that matches their intensity then we will be in the ball park with them. That’s the important thing, to bring that intensity.
