Head to head: North Melbourne 16 wins, Port Adelaide seven wins
Last time: Port Adelaide 13.18 (96) d North Melbourne 12.10 (82), round one, 2010 at AAMI Stadium
MISSING IN ACTION
North Melbourne
Liam Anthony (shoulder) - indefinite
Aaron Black (hip) - indefinite
Luke Delaney (wrist) - 1-2 weeks
Ayden Kennedy (foot) - 2-3 weeks
Drew Petrie (foot) - 4 weeks
Ben Ross (hip/groin) - indefinite
Matthew Scott (concussion) - test
Marcus White (corked thigh) - test
Port Adelaide
John Butcher (back) - 3-4 weeks
Brett Ebert (ankle) - test
Robbie Gray (back/hamstring) - test
Hamish Hartlett (quad) - 1 week
Nathan Krakouer (groin) - 2-3 weeks
Andrew Moore (groin) - 3-4 weeks
Marlon Motlop (fractured foot) - 4-5 weeks
Michael Pettigrew (patella tendon) - 8-9 weeks
Steven Salopek (shoulder) - test
Warren Tredrea (ankle) - 8-9 weeks
FORM
North Melbourne: WLLWW
Port Adelaide: LLLLL
SUMMARY
The past four weeks have seen these two sides trade places on the AFL ladder.
North Melbourne has jumped back into finals contention, with wins against the Brisbane Lions and Carlton, while Port Adelaide has plummeted to 12th on the back of five straight losses.
The Roos led from start to finish last weekend and kept the characteristically high-scoring Blues to just four second-half goals under the roof of Etihad Stadium.
The Power finished their game against the Sydney Swans last weekend with just 16 fit men, but that was no excuse for the second-quarter fadeout that ultimately cost them the game.
The Power finished their game against the Sydney Swans last weekend with just 16 fit men, but that was no excuse for the second-quarter fadeout that ultimately cost them the game.
PLAYER TO WATCH
North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas has been in rare form. He has had 30 shots on goal in the past four weeks for a return of 15.15. He booted 7.5 against Carlton last weekend and could trouble the Power, who are sweating on the fitness of small defender Jacob Surjan.
The Swans successfully shut down Port Adelaide’s three key playmakers Danyle Pearce, David Rodan and Travis Boak in their 38-point win at AAMI Stadium. Pearce starred against the Roos in round one, with 18 possessions and two goals and needs to contribute on Sunday with his side struggling for goalkicking options.
QUESTION MARKS
Does Port Adelaide assistant coach Dean Laidley have any more tricks up his sleeve against his old side? Laidley’s inside knowledge was invaluable in round one.
Can North Melbourne maintain its impressive record against the Power? Port Adelaide has long struggled with their opponent’s contested style of play.
Can Port Adelaide muster more than 10 goals on Sunday? The Power have managed just 19 goals in the last three weeks and desperately need to find some capable scorers.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY?
Port Adelaide desperately needs a win to keep its finals hopes alive, while a win for the Roos would put them inside the top eight. The Power will perform better this weekend, but have struggled to put together four quarters of football and its hard to see them getting past the Roos.
PREDICTION:
North Melbourne by 21 points.
Follow Mic Cullen's inside view of North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at #aflkangaspower on Twitter.com from 12.40pm Sunday or @AFL_MicCullen#aflkangaspower
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
