St Kilda ruckman Michael Rix will play his first game of the AFL season against star Port Adelaide pair Brendon Lade and Dean Brogan at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

The Saints started the season with former All Australians Steven King and Michael Gardiner as their preferred ruck pairing, but both are missing through injury.

King is out with a hamstring injury sustained in last Friday night's win over Essendon, while the injury-prone Gardiner will miss his fourth straight game with a calf complaint.

The Saints also included tough tagger Steven Baker for his first game of the year, after serving a seven-match suspension stretching from last season.

Tally utility Sam Gilbert is out with a shoulder injury, while young midfielder Clinton Jones was dropped, with Shane Birss coming into the team.

The Power named an unchanged side.

The Western Bulldogs retained skipper Brad Johnson in their side to play struggling West Coast at Telstra Dome on Saturday night, despite a calf concern.

Veteran midfielder Scott West returns from injury, with youngster Jarrod Harbrow making way.

The Eagles responded to last weekend's loss to Port Adelaide, their fourth defeat in a row, by making four changes.

Premiership players Chad Fletcher and Mark Seaby were among those axed, along with Mark Nicoski and Matthew Spangher.

Into the side comes key position prospect Josh Kennedy, traded to the Eagles as part of the deal that sent Chris Judd to Carlton, in what will be his first match for the club.

Fellow youngsters Will Schofield and Brad Ebert were also included, while defender Brent Staker returns after a week off with concussion after his punch from Sydney's Barry Hall.

Carlton made three changes, despite coming off consecutive victories, for Saturday's MCG meeting with Adelaide.

Midfielder Steven Browne will make his AFL debut, Bryce Gibbs returns from injury and tall forward Adam Hartlett was recalled.

They lost Jordan Bannister (hamstring) to injury, while dropping Adam Bentick and Setanta O'hAilpin.

The Crows made one change, Chris Knights replacing Jarrhan Jacky.

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