BRAD Scott concedes North Melbourne's dramatic slide over the past two months could rattle his team's confidence, saying it is no longer the team that opened 2016 with nine straight wins.

Since defeating Carlton by 67 points in round nine, North has lost six of its past seven games, including its past five.

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The Roos were on top of the ladder after round 12 but after their 28-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday they sit eighth, just two games clear of the Power.

Scott said North was "certainly not going to be looking over our shoulder" in terms of its finals chances, but had work to do to get back to its form of the opening nine rounds.

"It's got the potential to (affect the team's confidence), no doubt," Scott said in his post-match press conference.

"We can't shy away from the fact that we're not the team that was 9-0 at the start of the year and that's for a whole range of factors – a lot of it out of our control, but a lot of it within our control.

"But that's what coaches are for and that's what leadership groups are for. Anyone can do it when you're 9-0 and cruising, now's the time we've got to stand up and right the ship and get back on course.

"I've still got great faith and confidence in us as a football club, the support we've got and what we need to do in the second half of the year."

Five talking points: North Melbourne v Port Adelaide

Scott pinned most of the blame for the Power loss on to his team's disastrous opening term, when the Roos allowed Port to pile on 6.3 to 0.5 and lost all seven centre clearances.

North appeared unlucky to concede the opening goal when Michael Firrito was penalised for deliberating rushing a behind notwithstanding the fact he was being tackled by Jay Schulz at the time and also had fellow Power forward Aaron Young close behind him. 

Scott, who was fined $30,000 for his comments about the umpiring in North's round 13 loss to Hawthorn, was understandably reticent to comment on the decision.

"We won't be seeking clarification, I'm sure there will be enough comment on it," the Roos coach said.

"Whatever the AFL says in response to the questions that everyone will ask we've got to take note of it because we don't want to be giving away fee kicks like that again."

WATCH: Brad Scott's full post-match press conference

The Power's second goal of the game came when North ruckman Todd Goldstein was pushed off the ball at a ruck contest by Port counterpart Jackson Trengove, whose resultant quick kick found Chad Wingard 25m out from goal.

Goldstein led North to win the hit-outs 35-24 but Trengove was more influential around the ground, finishing with 22 possessions to the 2015 All Australian's 12.

Goldstein's form has slipped since he suffered a knee injury in round 10 against the Sydney Swans that forced him to miss the following round's win over Richmond.

Scott said the injury had affected the ruckman's "continuity" but backed him to return to his best soon.

"He's come a long way in six or seven years and (given) the character of him I know that he'll improve along with a lot of other players that have got to step up and improve as well," Scott said.