SUMMARY
The injury-ravaged Kangaroos' freefall down the ladder continued against West Coast and it's set the scene for a 'mini-final' against Port Adelaide. North's top-four ambitions aren't shot yet, although a long injury list, daunting run home and troubles hitting the scoreboard have Roos fans looking anxiously at the chasing teams as much as lifting their eyes towards the double chance. North has now lost five of its past six games, with some bad luck and bad kicking contributing factors, and the Power will believe they're a shot at an upset, despite losing three of their last four. Although Port Adelaide was gallant in defeat to Hawthorn, that loss means its season is on the line against North. The Power have the midfield pace to worry the Roos, especially with Robbie Gray in red-hot form.
Todd Goldstein will be out to dominate the Power. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, July 16, 4.35pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R3, 2015, Port Adelaide 17.11 (113) d North Melbourne 16.9 (105) at Etihad Stadium
R3, 2014, North Melbourne 14.13 (97) d Port Adelaide 13.12 (90) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2013, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Port Adelaide 12.11 (83) at Blundstone Arena
R8, 2012, Port Adelaide 14.11 (95) d North Melbourne 14.9 (93) at AAMI Stadium
R14, 2011, North Melbourne 21.10 (136) d Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) at AAMI Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne has tumbled from top to eighth in the space of four weeks and lost five of its last six games. The Roos' dip in scoring has been alarming. From rounds one to nine they were scoring 104 points per game and has since dropped to 81 points.
2. The Roos and Power meet for the 31st time and North holds a lopsided 21-9 advantage, including winning five of the last eight.
3. Port's tackling is a feature of a fiercely competitive playing style. The Power have laid the second-most tackles, averaging 79.1 per game, while North Melbourne is mid-table with 69.7.
4. Heavily in North Melbourne's favour is its record against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, winning six games to two. The past two meetings at the venue have been decided by a combined 15 points.
5. The Power will be up against it in the ruck. They're ranked last for hit-outs and 12th for centre clearances, whereas North Melbourne is third for hit-outs and fourth for centre clearances.
6. Robbie Gray has surged to a career-high No.2 ranking in the Schick Official Player Ratings. The Power star's 29-disposal, two-goal effort against Hawthorn lifted him above Scott Pendlebury and Nat Fyfe, with only Patrick Dangerfield left to reel in.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Todd Goldstein. The star North ruckman commanded the hit-outs (65) but didn't meet lofty expectations around the ground against the Eagles. The Roos need Goldstein at his best and he could dominate Port's makeshift ruckman Jackson Trengove.
PREDICTION: Kangaroos by 4 points
