Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has put his AFL side on notice against Port Adelaide, who put a large dent in their finals aspirations last season.

Port, who haven't won since round 10 and last week suffered a record 138-point thrashing by Collingwood, are a danger, according to Clarkson.

Ahead of their MCG clash on Saturday, the third-placed Hawks won't be taking a win for granted.

"In my mind they're a pretty dangerous opponent," Clarkson said.

"They knocked us off about this time last year when we were fighting hard to make finals.

"It probably dusted off our chances of making top four when we got beaten by Port Adelaide over in Adelaide about this time last year."

Clarkson said that irrespective of ladder positions, the two teams usually played out tight games.

Port lead their all-time head to head, 15 wins to eight.

"They've always caused us a little bit of trouble," said the former Port assistant coach.

"I know everyone's writing them off in a footy sense but we've got a fair amount of regard for the way they go about it."

Port Adelaide coach Matthew Primus made eight changes to the line-up which only managed 3.3 (21) against the Magpies - a new club low.

But Primus said he didn't feel like he was swinging the selection axe.

"I know it looks like it, but we got a couple of guys back in that are important to our structure and our team and I have given a couple of the young fellas a go whose performance has been pretty good all year and we have wanted to try and get into our team," he said.

"And after last Saturday night's performance it gives us a good opportunity to do that.

"(Alipate) Carlile and (Troy) Chaplin coming in certainly strengthens us up and Matty Thomas onball and Jay Schulz up forward are four good inclusions for us."

Primus predicted the team to bounce back after the disappointment of last week.

"We have only won two games but they have been pretty resilient on the training track and getting themselves up, we have been able to bounce back pretty well."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP