PORT ADELAIDE will be forced into at least one change at the selection table with Zak Butters’ knee injury opening the door for one of his teammates to take his place.

Butters was substituted out of the loss to Melbourne after injuring his right knee when he landed awkwardly marking the ball in the third quarter.

Speedy defender Martin Frederick has been the medical substitute for the last two matches and could be in line to come into the starting line-up if the selection committee can re-shape the team to cover Butters’ absence from the forward line.

Hamish Hartlett was tough in the contest in the SANFL last weekend, racking up a huge 15 tackles to go with 17 disposals and four clearances. The experienced campaigner also slotted a goal for good measure in his second consecutive strong performance at the lower level.

Riley Bonner was a strong contributor off half back, having a game-high 30 disposals to go with five marks and a goal to push for an immediate recall after one game with the Magpies, while Joel Garner continued his consistent form, keeping dangerous forward Cameron Shenton scoreless.

Playing more midfield than forward, Boyd Woodcock was also busy without hitting the scoreboard against Norwood. He had 19 disposals, seven tackles and five clearances on a tough day for Port Adelaide at Alberton. Another youngster in Xavier Duursma made his return from a lengthy injury layoff with 15 disposals, six tackles and four clearances to give the selectors food for thought.

Given St Kilda’s twin rucks in Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall, Peter Ladhams or Sam Hayes could be in the frame for selection. Ladhams has played nine AFL games this season among his 24 career matches but has not featured since the Round 14 win over Gold Coast.

The 23-year-old played mostly as a forward against the Redlegs in the SANFL last Saturday, finishing with two goals, four marks, 11 disposals and nine hit-outs.

Hayes is yet to make his AFL debut but has put together an incredible body of work in the SANFL this season, averaging a whopping 35 hit-outs and 14 disposals per game to be ranked as one of the most dominant ruckmen in the competition.

Port Adelaide will name its AFL side to face the Saints on Thursday evening.