PREMIERSHIP ruckman Jordan Roughead has been axed by the Western Bulldogs while superboot Matthew Suckling has been ruled out of Thursday night's encounter with Port Adelaide due to an ongoing Achilles injury.

Roughead has battled up-and-down form and injury problems since the Dogs won the flag in 2016, prompting speculation about the free agent's future at the Kennel.

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He has now been sent back to the VFL after averaging 12 disposals, 13 hit-outs and a goal over the past three games.

The Dogs have made four changes, with veteran Dale Morris (knee) and Tory Dickson (hamstring) forced out.

Into Luke Beveridge's line-up comes the previously out-of-favour Mitch Wallis, also a free agent at season's end, Zaine Cordy, Lukas Webb and Shane Biggs.

At 4-7, the Dogs' finals hopes are all but extinguished but the eighth-placed Power are in the hunt after three wins from their last four games.

Earlier on Wednesday, coach Ken Hinkley revealed big-name recruit Jack Watts had been dropped after a run of indifferent football.

The former No.1 draft pick has been replaced by emerging tall forward Todd Marshall, while veteran Lindsay Thomas comes back in for Jake Neade (omitted).

Thomas hasn't played at AFL level since copping a four-week ban for a dangerous bump on Geelong midfielder Scott Selwood in round five.

Key defender Jack Hombsch also comes in for the injured Tom Jonas (hamstring).

Thursday, June 14

Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval, 7.20pm ACST

PORT ADELAIDE

In: T.Marshall, L.Thomas, J.Hombsch

Out: J.Watts, J.Neade, T.Jonas (hamstring)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

In: Z.Cordy, M.Wallis, L.Webb, S.Biggs

Out: M.Suckling (injured), D.Morris (injured), T.Dickson (injured), J.Roughead