Port Adelaide have dropped club leader Tom Jonas and put fellow backman Alipate Carlile out for a spell because of a sore back.
The Power have made five changes, four of them unforced, for Thursday night's must-win game against Collingwood at Adelaide Oval.
They also axed Nathan Krakouer, Andrew Moore and Sam Colquhoun.
Jackson Trengove, Cam O'Shea, Tom Clurey, Jake Neade and Karl Amon will take their places. Collingwood are unchanged.
Port coach Ken Hinkley said Port's predicament - 12th spot with five wins, eight losses - demanded action at the selection table.
"We have to make some more changes," Hinkley told reporters on Wednesday before the teams were announced.
"Tommy Jonas won't play. He's part of our leadership group and been a significant member of our football club.
"I trust Tommy with everything I have got. Unfortunately his form has not been well.
"Bobby Carlile has been struggling physically, he's not going to play.
"There will be other changes ... and we have to do that to try and create some form."
The Power host fifth-placed Collingwood, who won respect but lost their past two outings against Hawthorn and Fremantle.
Hinkley said Trengove, who is back from injury, and four-gamer Clurey will take the roles of Jonas and Carlile in defence.
"There is great upside in the disappointment of other players, we get a chance to see some other boys continue to improve," he said.
"But it's not one player. It's the collective. The whole 22 are going to be needed."
Asked if Port's season was on the line against the Magpies, Hinkley replied: "It has been at that stage for a while.
"We are challenged each week and we have to continue to look to respond.
"And that is our challenge again on Thursday night. Look to respond and get some of our football back to where we need it to be."
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