TURN back the clock two weeks, North Melbourne coach Brad Scott scoffed at the suggestion the Kangaroos clash against Richmond was a 'season defining' moment for his club.

Scott did have a point. It was only round five and the Kangaroos had already made two trips to the west as well as facing the red-hot reigning premier, Collingwood.

But after their nine-point loss to the Tigers last week, their clash against Port Adelaide had all the hallmarks of being a "must-win" clash for Brad Scott and his young side.

The match also loomed as make or break for Matthew Primus and his men.

Their first win of the season - a sensational come-from-behind victory over Adelaide in the Showdown - had many believing the Power had finally turned the corner.

But the club was labelled 'a laughing stock' by acting captain Troy Chaplin following their loss to Gold Coast. Indeed, Port Adelaide had a point to prove to the rest of the competition.

After a week of 'soul-searching', both teams locked horns on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium, desperate for the four points.

All eyes were on the young guns wearing the blue-and-white stripes and the senior figures wearing the Power colours to answer the critics.

But while the North youngsters showed glimpses of their potential in their ten-goal victory over the Power, questions still remain over some of the senior Port players.

With the Kangaroos yet to notch up their first win of 2011, captain Brent Harvey had already put the acid on his younger teammates to ease the burden on the senior leaders.

Sam Wright - one of those players mentioned by Harvey - showed his talent around the goals, finishing with three goals and providing a touch of class to the North Melbourne forward-line.

Add the performance of first-gamer Kieran Harper plus the midfield dynamos in Leigh Adams and Liam Anthony, it was the even contribution from all players, young and old, which will be somewhat a relief for Scott as he prepares his charges for their clash against the unbeaten Cats next Saturday.

On the other side of the fence, Matthew Primus has already stamped his authority over his sidem, dropping the senior trio of Chad Cornes, Danyle Pearce and Kane Cornes - after 174 consecutive games - at various stages throughout the season

Recalled after missing the previous two games, Kane returned to the squad and was one of few shining lights for the Power, finishing the match with 25 possessions.

Dean Brogan lead from the front, despite looking hampered by an Achilles injury, while Hamish Hartlett continued his great form from recent weeks, finishing with 29 possessions in promising signs for the Power future.

But the trio received little suppor.

In the aftermath of their losses the previous week, both Scott and Primus made it perfectly clear they were prepared to wield the axe at the selection table and send a strong message to the players and supporters.

Scott will be pleased to see some reward for the faith he has kept with some of his young charges.

For Primus, the headaches at the selection table will continue until he finds the right formula for success. 

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL