WITH its finals hopes long gone, North Melbourne will be out to dent the aspirations of potential minor premier Port Adelaide when the two teams clash at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night. 

KANGAS v POWER Follow it LIVE from 7.40pm AEST

The Roos have suffered a wretched run of injury and form since the competition restart after the COVID-19 shutdown, winning just two of their past 13 games.  

01:14

Match Previews R16: North Melbourne v Port Adelaide

Sportsbet's Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson preview the game between the Kangaroos and Power at Metricon Stadium

However, they welcome back some experience and talent against the Power in the form of skipper Jack Ziebell and wingman Jared Polec.

Youngster Flynn Perez will make his debut, with Majak Daw, Tom Murphy and Paul Ahern dropped from the side that suffered an insipid 63-point loss to Gold Coast. 

Port has also bolstered its line-up ahead of a match it is expected to win, and must do so to remain on top of the ladder after Brisbane kept the heat on with a solid win over Collingwood on Friday night to close out round 15. 

THE LADDER Where is your team sitting?

Veterans Justin Westhoff and Brad Ebert, along with Riley Bonner have made way for impressive midfielder Dan Houston, Steven Motlop and Kane Farrell.

In contrast to North's woes, Port Adelaide has been the League's pace-setter since round two, losing just three of its 13 games. 

Big forward Charlie Dixon rediscovered his mojo in a last-start thumping of Sydney, booting four goals in a powerhouse display that will leave North full-back Robbie Tarrant with his hands full. 

Victory in all three of its remaining games will give Port Adelaide the McClelland Trophy for the AFL's minor premiership for the first time since its premiership year of 2004. 

IN AFL ON DEMAND NOW