SUMMARY
Port Adelaide was the competition's sole unbeaten team through three rounds, but suddenly must defeat a resurgent North Melbourne to avoid three defeats on the trot. Dealing with the continued absence of All Australian ruckman Paddy Ryder won't be any easier on Saturday. Justin Westhoff and Dougal Howard have done their best to hold the fort, but face another big task in Todd Goldstein, who bounced back to form in the Roos' shock upset of the Hawks. Their ability to quell Goldstein's influence will go a long way to winning the clearance battle, where North shone in round five. The Roos will sweat on Shaun Higgins' fitness, in particular, after his sickening head clash with Ryan Burton. If Higgins doesn't recover in time, it will mean an increased workload for midfield bull Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont, Jed Anderson and co. Top-five draftee Luke Davies-Uniacke should be back to help after being rested last round.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, April 28, 2.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R17, 2017, Port Adelaide 19.13 (127) d North Melbourne 8.9 (57) at Adelaide Oval
R17, 2016, Port Adelaide 16.9 (105) d North Melbourne 10.17 (77) at Etihad Stadium
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
THE SIX POINTS
1. Port Adelaide had the game won by quarter-time when the teams played in 2017, kicking 8.1 to 2.0 in the first quarter. Sam Gray enjoyed a career-best performance with 25 disposals, 10 marks and four goals.
2. The Kangaroos continue to have the AFL's stingiest defence, conceding only 64 points per game this season. The Power is mid-table, averaging 82 points against.
3. North Melbourne and Port Adelaide clash for the 33rd time, with the Roos holding a clear advantage, winning 21 games to 11. But the Power have won their last three meetings.
4. A big advantage for the Kangas could be in contested marking. They rank in the top four with 11.8 per game, well ahead of Port Adelaide, which is last with only 6.2. Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite are both in the top 10.
5. Another loss and it will be the first time Port has dropped three games in a row since rounds 20-22, 2016. The Power's scoring has dropped to an average of 67 points in the past fortnight, compared to 100 in the opening three rounds.
6. Port Adelaide has eight players inside the top 100 in the Schick AFL Player Ratings – led by Robbie Gary at No.8 – whereas North has only three, with Ben Cunnington the highest at 23.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR ...
Charlie Dixon was supposed to dine out on an under-strength Geelong defence last week, but was instead held goalless by Mark Blicavs. Coaches, teammates and fans alike will expect much more against the Roos, although they are the League's No.1 defence led by Robbie Tarrant. A North star at the other end, Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown, might also provide Dixon with some inspiration.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by six points
