Collingwood’s early-season dramas have continued with Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas pulling out with hamstring injuries ahead of Saturday’s AFL clash with Port Adelaide.

The 13th-placed Magpies (1-2) have made five changes for what looms as a vital game at Etihad Stadium.

Shaw and Thomas (both hamstring) have joined Luke Ball (season-ending knee injury) and Ben Reid (quadricep) this week on Collingwood’s growing injury list, while back-up ruckman Cameron Wood has been dropped.

Ben Johnson is one of five inclusions, making his return to the senior side following three VFL games after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Simon Buckley, Tom Young, Paul Seedsman and Jackson Paine also come into the side.

Port regain key forward John Butcher from a hamstring injury among three changes.

St Kilda have named an unchanged side for Friday night’s Etihad Stadium clash with Fremantle, coached by ex-Saints mentor Ross Lyon.

The Dockers have regained niggling forward/midfielder Hayden Ballantyne from suspension and have named Nat Fyfe despite an ongoing shoulder problem.

Carlton have thrown a lifeline to midfielder Brock McLean for Saturday’s MCG clash with Essendon. McLean played only 10 games last year.

Dennis Armfield is out with a knee injury.

The Bombers regain Sam Lonergan and Cale Hooker and have included debutant Cory Dell’Olio.

Adelaide have made four changes for Saturday’s home game against Greater Western Sydney, including Graham Johncock’s omission because of a thigh injury.

The Giants regain former Melbourne skipper James McDonald from suspension.

Brisbane’s champion onballer Simon Black has made a comeback after missing just two matches with a fractured hand. The Lions host Gold Coast in the Queensland derby at the Gabba on Saturday night, with Campbell Brown returning to the Suns’ lineup.

Ladder leaders West Coast regain Darren Glass, Matthew Priddis and Matthew Rosa for Saturday night’s clash with seventh-placed Hawthorn in Perth.

The Hawks have promoted debutant Bradley Hill for Luke Breust (concussion).

Meanwhile, the Cats will be without star onballer James Kelly (groin) for Sunday’s game in Geelong against Richmond.

Sydney star Adam Goodes is unavailable for Sunday’s game at the SCG against North Melbourne because of suspension.

Suspensions have also hit Melbourne and Western Bulldogs for Sunday’s game at the MCG, with Bulldogs defender Brian Lake and Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove to miss the match.

Melbourne regain 2011 club champion Brent Moloney from a groin injury.