Head to head: Port Adelaide six wins, North Melbourne 16 wins
Last time: North Melbourne 10.11 (71) d Port Adelaide 9.13 (67), round 22, 2009 at AAMI Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
North Melbourne
Majak Daw (toe) - 1-2 weeks
Cruize Garlett (wrist) - test
Levi Greenwood (toe) - 2-3 weeks
Ed Lower (leg) - 3-4 weeks
Alan Obst (quad) - TBA
Drew Petrie (foot) - TBA
Port Adelaide
Daniel Bass (knee) - test
John Butcher (back) - indefinite
Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) - 1 week
Tom Logan (wrist) - test
Daniel Motlop (hamstring) - TBC
David Rodan (knee) - indefinite
Wade Thompson (eye socket) - 3-5 weeks
SUMMARY
Both sides are riding waves of optimism into the start of the home and away season, after encouraging pre-season performances.
Port Adelaide was one of the surprise packets of the NAB Cup competition, winning through to the semi-finals before going down to eventual night premier the Western Bulldogs by three points.
North Melbourne only made it as far as the second round of the NAB Cup, but wins against Geelong and Hawthorn were enough to rekindle hopes of a finals berth this season.
New coach Brad Scott has generated some enthusiasm at Arden Street and changes to the coaching panel at Alberton have also given the Power a fresh feel.Port Adelaide was one of the surprise packets of the NAB Cup competition, winning through to the semi-finals before going down to eventual night premier the Western Bulldogs by three points.
North Melbourne only made it as far as the second round of the NAB Cup, but wins against Geelong and Hawthorn were enough to rekindle hopes of a finals berth this season.
Former Kangaroos’ mentor Dean Laidley has been credited with transforming the attack-minded Power into a lean, mean defending machine, while Geelong legend Garry Hocking has helped fast track impressive young players, like Mitch Banner, Andrew Moore, Daniel Stewart and rookie Cameron Hitchcock.
Scott also has a plethora of talented kids at his disposal, including NAB Rising Star fancy Jack Ziebell, second-year Sam Wright and draftees Ben Cunnington and Ryan Bastinac.
North Melbourne was too good for the Power at AAMI Stadium in round 22 last year, but you get the feeling neither side will be looking to the past as they try to build for the future.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Travis Boak finished sixth in Port Adelaide's best and fairest award last season and is primed for a bigger 2010 given the departure of star midfielder Shaun Burgoyne. Boak picked up 30-plus possessions on four occasions last year and the Power are relying on the 21-year-old to take another step this season.
Like Boak, North's Liam Anthony is expected to build on his impressive 2009 form this year. The mature-age recruit missed half of his debut season with a foot injury, but averaged 26 possessions in the last 10 games. The outside midfielder starred during the pre-season competition and it will be interesting to see how much respect the Power onballers pay him.
QUESTION MARKS
Can Port Adelaide out-tackle one of the best tackling sides in the AFL? Laidley’s influence has seen the Power develop a greater defensive edge but can they cut it against the Roos, who ranked second in the League for tackles last year.
Where will North Melbourne’s goals come from? Suspended utility Drew Petrie topped the club’s goalkicking last season and single-handedly dragged his side over the line with three majors last time these two teams met. He’d been earmarked for a permanent forward role this season, but an untimely foot injury means Scott will have to find a replacement and quick.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
