THREE inclusions have been named in Port Adelaide’s Round 10 side to play the Western Bulldogs at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Saturday night.

Tall defender Jack Hombsch will make his debut for Port Adelaide after being sidelined during the NAB Cup with an ankle injury.

Preview: Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs

Since recovering from that injury earlier in the season, the former GWS Giant has work his way back into form in the SANFL.

Senior coach Ken Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au Hombsch’s inclusion is important to add much needed height to the Power’s defensive lines.

But he says Hombsch has had to earn his spot.

"Jack's been really good in the SANFL for the last three or four weeks and, albeit for a few injuries at the start of the season, would have probably played a bit earlier," said Hinkley.

"We have missed a tall back.

"Jack was an identified, talented young player who we wanted to get back to Adelaide and we hope this'll be the start of a long career for Port Adelaide."

Jake Neade will return to play in his home territory after being rested against Geelong last week.

He will be joined by Cameron Hitchcock, the small forward who has been one of Glenelg’s top SANFL players for the past month, who will also play his first game since Round 11 last year.

"Jake was clearly just a 'rested' situation last week where we wanted to give him a little spell, knowing that we were coming back up to Darwin which has a significance for him personally being near his home," said Hinkley.

"We wanted him to have a positive influence in the game up here.

"Hitchy is a bit like Hombsch in that we wanted to have in in the side earlier, but he's been impacted by injury.

"We were excited about his early pre-season form, he's had to work really hard in the SANFL to get form and he deserves his spot."

The trio replaces Matt Thomas who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, Andrew Moore and Sam Colquhoun.

Hinkley confirmed Thomas ruled himself out of the side after sustaining a "hard knock" against Geelong last weekend.

"Matty copped a big hit last week and didn't feel he was able to perform to his normal contested and combative style of football," Hinkley said.

Paul Stewart, Matthew Lobbe and Aaron Young have been named as emergencies.

Hinkley believes this team gives Port Adelaide the best mix to match the Bulldogs this weekend, but still expects to face a challenge from the Bulldogs who have a strong record against the Power in the top end.

"The Bulldogs' form has been really solid over the last few weeks and Macca (Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney) has done a really good job at developing a good contested style of football," said Hinkley.

"They've probably been unlucky to not get a few more results.

"It'll be a hard and tough game with both sides desperate to get another win."

Action starts at 7:10pm local and SA time on Saturday night. portadelaidefc.com.au will provide a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of every score and key stat.

Port Adelaide Round 10 team v Western Bulldogs

FB: Jack Hombsch, Alipate Carlile, Cameron O’Shea
HB: Tom Logan, Tom Jonas, Hamish Hartlett
C: Kane Cornes, Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent
HF: Brad Ebert, John Butcher, Angus Monfries
FF: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Justin Westhoff
Foll: Jarrad Redden, Oliver Wines, Chad Wingard
Interchange: Cameron Hitchcock, Jake Neade, Campbell Heath, Kane Mitchell
Emergencies: Paul Stewart, Matthew Lobbe, Aaron Young

In: Cameron Hitchcock, Jake Neade, Jack Hombsch
Out: Matt Thomas (shoulder), Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun (omitted)

New: Jack Hombsch – PAFC debut