Port Adelaide have ruled out forward Brett Ebert and could blood three debutants in their AFL season opener against Collingwood on Saturday.

Ebert underwent a LARS knee reconstruction last August but failed to prove his fitness for the MCG fixture, Power coach Matthew Primus said on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old did not play for Port during their pre-season, but did return through the SANFL.

"He's had half a game, three-quarters of a game, in the (seconds) at SANFL level," Primus said.

"There's quite a few senior players at other clubs that aren't going to be ready, so we have got to make sure when we do pick them, they're available to play 80-90 per cent for us."

Port are considering upgrading rookie Jarrad Irons to the senior list, paving the way for the 18-year-old from Perth to debut against Collingwood.

Utility Jasper Pittard and defender Cameron O'Shea, both aged 19, were also in the frame for their first AFL game.

"They're definitely right in the mix," Primus said of the trio.

"They have obviously handled themselves pretty well in the NAB Cup, albeit we have thrown them around a little bit and given them halves here and there, but they've handled themselves well."

Veteran Chad Cornes, dropped to SANFL ranks two weeks ago, was also a chance for a match Primus described as a perfect test for his youthful squad.

"It's going to be great challenge to see where we are at, as will the next month and the next 22 weeks," he said.

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