A YOUTHFUL Port Adelaide is set to take on Norwood at The Parade tonight with multiple changes made due to AFL selection and injury.

Both the Magpies and Redlegs enter the game with no wins on the board in season 2022, and coach Matthew Lokan understands it’s an important game for both sides.

“We played a lot better last week than we did in round one, so Norwood Oval, Friday night, it’s a big game for the club and I know the boys are really looking forward to it,” he said.

The rivalry between the two clubs goes back generations and Lokan said it will be spoken about to the playing group.

“We’ll talk about it pre-game, the good thing about South Australian football is that everyone has a very good understanding of Port versus Norwood and the rivalry between our two clubs,” he said.

“Both sides are going to be relatively young tomorrow night, so it should be a good contest.”

The Magpies will be missing contracted players Trent Burgoyne and Tom Corcoran, while also losing Sam Hayes, Jeremy Finlayson, Trent Dumont and Sam Skinner through AFL selection.

Marty Frederick and Dante Visentini will also miss due to health and safety protocols.

“We’ve been a hit a little bit with injury with contracted guys and our AFL-listed guys,” Lokan said.

“It really gives our opportunity to some of our younger guys and those who haven’t played for our club this year.”

Balaklava Football Club listed player Mackenzie Nield will make his first appearance in the Prison Bar jumper.

Nield is a former West Adelaide junior who has joined the Adelaide Plains-based club from PHOS Camden.

The game on Friday gets underway on the Parade at 7:35pm.