Dom Cassisi will not play after pulling up with hamstring tightness following the Power’s 25-point loss to Geelong last Saturday.
He was monitored at training this week, but the club elected to take a ‘no-risk’ approach to his management.
Tom Jonas replaces Cassisi in the side and returns after serving his three-match suspension for rough conduct in the Power’s Round 17 win over St Kilda.
The Power’s senior coach Ken Hinkley told portadelaidefc.com.au he hopes Jonas can return to his past form immediately.
“We’re really pleased to get Tommy back,” said Hinkley.
“He’s been an important part of the back six all season and he’ll help cover the loss of Dom.
“Hopefully he’ll slot straight back into the form he was in before he was suspended.”
Tall forward John Butcher has also been forced out of the side with a hip injury.
Replacing him, albeit in defence, will be the in-form Campbell Heath.
Heath was named the Power’s SANFL Player of the Week for a strong performance at aligned club Woodville-West Torrens.
“Campbell’s been very good in the SANFL lately,” explained Hinkley.
“He’s one of those tough and hard players who gives flexibility in lots of areas.
“Butcher has been struggling in the past couple of weeks to manage with his body and we felt now was a good time for him to take time off and get it right.
“But we want to get him back as soon as we can.”
The omitted Kane Mitchell will make way for Cameron Hitchcock, who has been named on the forward pocket for his first game of 2013.
But Hinkley forecasts Hitchcock playing a similar role to the hard-running Mitchell.
Hitchcock has been in good form for Glenelg in the SANFL and Hinkley says he offers a fit and fast option to the Power’s coaching staff.
“Kane came on as the sub for us last week and did some good things, but we’ve been looking for a chance to bring Cam (Hitchcock) into the side to give a bit of freshness and run,” said Hinkley.
“Kane’s basically played as a high half-forward and a bit through the midfield and on the wing and we expect Hitchy to provide similar run in those areas for us.”
Tom Logan, Jake Neade and Aaron Young have been named as emergencies.
Hinkley expects a serious challenge from his old side this weekend, particularly with many changes to both camps for the match.
“Their form’s been really good this year, they’ve improved a significant amount,” said Hinkley of the Suns.
“They’ve challenged most sides they’ve come up against and we’re in for a tough day out.
“Gary (Ablett) leads them well and they’re providing plenty of challenges for their opposition.
“We’ll need to be our very best and take it up to them right here at home.”
Port Adelaide hosts the Gold Coast Suns at AAMI Stadium at 1:40pm (ACST) on Saturday afternoon.
Port Adelaide Round 21 team v Gold Coast Suns
FB: Cameron O’Shea, Alipate Carlile, Campbell Heath
HB: Matthew Broadbent, Jackson Trengove, Tom Jonas
C: Brad Ebert, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
HF: Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Angus Monfries
FF: Cameron Hitchcock, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Andrew Moore, Hamish Hartlett
Interchange: Nathan Blee, Sam Colquhoun, Jasper Pittard, Oliver Wines
Emergencies: Tom Logan, Jake Neade, Aaron Young
In: Campbell Heath, Cameron Hitchcock, Tom Jonas
Out: Dom Cassisi (hamstring), John Butcher (hip), Kane Mitchell (omitted)
