NORTH Melbourne's dominance of Port Adelaide from its 1997 inception through to 2002 was so convincing that the Roos won all nine encounters between the two clubs.

From 2003 to 2006, the ledger balanced, however, last year the Power took the honours in both clashes – the second of those an 87-point mauling in the preliminary final.

And, on closer inspection, North Melbourne has won just one of it last five clashes at AAMI Stadium.

It's a hoodoo the club is confident it can shake on Saturday night. Why?

Because history means nothing, says captain Adam Simpson.

"The first, I reckon, 10 games when Port came into the competition were really good," he said. "I was lucky enough to be part of most of them.

"But the last four or five years, I think we've struggled a little bit. I don't know the exact head-to head-battles but they've been a bit of a bogey team.

"Having said that, it's a different team this year, different personnel, different stage of the year and which way the clubs are heading.

"Throw it out the window this week."

While North Melbourne is in touch with the top eight, Port Adelaide has been a surprise underachiever – slipping to 14th with four wins from 14 games.

Power coach Mark Williams has ruled out finals, but Simpson doesn't believe it will dampen that club's endeavour.

"As a leader, it's more important to deliver in these types of games," he said. "In '06 we went through a similar position where we couldn't make the finals in the second half of the year, and for us winning was so important.

"I know it didn't eventuate for us back then, but the players who played, we wanted to win. Losing consecutive games is a terrible feeling. [But] it's none of my business what they do or feel.

"We've got our own problems and it's up to us to change our own destiny."