PORT ADELAIDE will be forced into at least two changes at the selection table for Saturday’s twilight encounter with Essendon.

A quad injury to Ryan Burton and the suspension of Zak Butters has opened the door for a couple of players to get a game ahead of the AFL finals.

Experienced campaigners Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff outline a list of players in the mix for selection with both omissions from last week’s side.

Burton’s absence from the backline will likely mean another defender gets a shot with Riley Bonner, Jarrod Lienert, Miles Bergman and Joel Garner the most likely, although Sam Mayes has performed well in a backline role in his six games this year.

Ruckman Peter Ladhams has served his three-game suspension for breaching the AFL’s COVID-19 protocols and could be brought back in as a second ruck and tall forward option, while young Mitch Georgiades could also be in the frame to return after a minor hamstring injury kept him out of the last two games.

Boyd Woodcock was an emergency for last week’s win over North Melbourne and is also a chance for a recall.

Port Adelaide will on Friday evening name its side to tackle the Bombers, with first bounce at Adelaide Oval at 4:30pm ACST on Saturday.