Pacy vice-captain Ryan Polkinghorne and Wagga recruit Jackson Weidemann broke an arm and hand respectively in the final quarter of last week's 100-point home loss to a resurgent Myrtleford.

It followed the 136-point loss to Lavington in the season opener.

Albury recruit Tristan Mann is also nursing a broken arm and could miss up to three months.

And on top of that, former Geelong Football League player Andrew McNeel is unavailable.

Mitch Scott and Josh Mercieca have also been dropped, meaning there's five changes for Saturday's home game against Wangaratta.

It's hard not to feel sorry for the Hoppers, who are rebuilding after losing a number of star players over summer.

To make matters worse, they face competition favourites Wangaratta.

The Pies welcome back Victoria Country defender Dylan Van Berlo following a two-match suspension from the grand final loss to Albury and rugged midfielder Daniel Boyle.

If there's any good news for the Hoppers, it's that star midfielder Matt Kelly and premiership defender Ben Douthie will miss the game.

Douthie is unavailable, while Kelly will have to wait at least another week to play his 200^th game after tweaking a hamstring last week.

The Pies played some scintillating football in demolishing Wodonga Raiders by 107 points in the preliminary final re-match.

There's a genuine fear if the Pies are switched on, the score could get ugly against a battered North.

Another former Wagga defender in Isaac Walton will make his debut, while former Carlton player Clem Smith returns to seniors.

Elsewhere, former ACT player Grange McMahon will debut at home against Albury on Saturday night.

McMahon and Steven Leitch replace injured duo Brant Dickson (AC joint) and Adam Flagg (concussion).

The Tigers have just the one change with premiership ruckman Zach Bye in for forward Jim Grills, who's unavailable with his polo commitments.

And Corowa-Rutherglen recruit Tim Brook is out after injuring his knee.