The Power opened up one spot in their senior squad by placing midfielder David Rodan on the long-term injury list and were facing the tough call of whether to elevate livewire forward Cameron Hitchcock or experienced utility Cameron Cloke in his place.
But a back injury to Butcher has paved the way for both Hitchcock and Cloke to play in the opening round.
Cloke, 25, has been left out of the side to take on Collingwood in Mount Gambier on Saturday, but coach Mark Williams said the former Carlton and Collingwood forward was still a chance to play AFL in the early stages of the season.
"We'll definitely upgrade someone in the next two weeks. Cloke and Hitchcock are the two that are at the forefront now. It'll depend on needs and who we're playing that week, but both of them have shown enough form to get upgraded," Williams said on Friday.
"Cloke has been left out of the side this week so he can play a full game. We don't want him to play little bits and pieces. The fact is he might be playing at the Magpies, so he needs to get back there and form some sort of relationship so he plays well there as well."
Another player, prized No.4 draft pick Hamish Hartlett, is also making a late charge for selection in round one.
Hartlett, 19, has spent the past month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, but Williams said the skilful onballer would return to full training next week.
"We're being ultra-cautious with Hamish. We were doing a handball drill this morning and I said, 'Surely Hamish can do that', but they [the fitness staff] said, 'No, we're going to look after him and he's training fully next week'," Williams said.
"He did his biggest running session yesterday, so we're just making sure we're crossing all the t's and dotting all the i's. He'll train fully next week and we'll see how he goes from there."
Port Adelaide will use Saturday's clash with the Magpies to settle on a side for round one.
Defender Troy Chaplin, who will miss the season opener against North Melbourne through suspension, has been left out of the team, while Daniel Motlop, Matt Thomas, Jay Schulz, Jay Nash and Matthew Lobbe have all been recalled.
Williams said he was eager to see whether Motlop, Schulz, Warren Tredrea, Daniel Stewart and Justin Westhoff could all function in the same forward line.
"We get Schulz, Motlop and Tredrea into the forward line at the same time for the first time ever and that's important for us. We'll also get to play Daniel Stewart up there again, too, so to get that mix working together [is a priority]," he said.
"I see Collingwood have picked a terrific side. Their pre-season form has been outstanding and with Jolly and Ball coming into the group it's going to be a huge test for us."
Saturday's hit-out will also be the last chance the club's younger players to stake their claim on a place in the side for round one.
Ex-Brisbane Lion Scott Harding and tough onballer Mitch Banner appear certain to play against the Roos and Williams said draftee Andrew Moore was also in the running for a round-one debut.
"Of all the young players Andrew's come along better and quicker than we expected. He's certainly got an opportunity to play round one. He'll be playing this week and trying to cement his spot in the side. It's still a little up in the air and he still has to deliver."
