Port Adelaide vs North Melbourne Verdict
North Melbourne have never beaten Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval and I'm backing that won't change in this AFL Round 17 game. Power won the Showdown last weekend and can build on that.
- The Power have never lost to North Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval
- Port Adelaide registered 32 scoring shots to 16 in their win over the Crows last weekend.
- Mitch Georgiades has kicked 10 goals in four matches at the venue against North Melbourne.
- Zak Butters had 37 disposals last weekend.
Head to Head Stats
North Melbourne were 46-point winners against Port Adelaide in Round 1 this season, with that match played at Marvel Stadium.
Port won the six matches prior to that and have never lost to the Kangaroos at Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide Form - Power Back In Business
Port Adelaide's 5-10 record does not paint a true picture of how competitive they have been this season.
Five of their losses have come by three points or fewer and they bounced back from a 26-point loss to Collingwood by producing one of their best performances of the year, defeating Adelaide by 26 points.
That margin could have been greater but for inaccuracy in front of goal, with the Power finishing with 13.19 (97) from 32 scoring shots.
Mitch Georgiades booted three goals to take his tally to 34 from 15 matches, while Zak Butters led from the front with 37 disposals. Jason Horne-Francis collected 29 disposals and kicked a goal.
Butters has now recorded 25 or more disposals in his past five matches and 30 or more in 10 of his past 14. Horne-Francis has kicked nine goals across his past five games.
North Melbourne Form - Three Straight For Roos
North Melbourne come into Round 17 with an 8-7 record and have won three consecutive matches, defeating West Coast by one point before accounting for Richmond by 25 points and Essendon by 14.
In the win over Essendon, the Kangaroos registered 321 uncontested possessions, the most by any side in a single game this season.
Caleb Daniel dictated play from half-back with 41 disposals, his second consecutive game with 40 or more, while Harry Sheezel collected 43 and Luke Parker added 31. Sheezel has now reached 30 or more disposals in seven of his past 10 matches.
The Kangaroos have multiple avenues to goal, with Charlie Spargo, Jacob Konstanty and Jack Darling all kicking multiple goals last weekend. Nick Larkey leads the club's goal-kicking with 32 majors from 15 matches.
Port Adelaide Team News
Ken Hinkley has made minimal changes as the Power chase another crucial win to stay in the finals race. Xavier Bamert continues after making his debut last week.
North Melbourne Team News
The Kangaroos have named an experienced line-up as they look to bounce back, with George Wardlaw and Luke Davies-Uniacke leading the midfield against a quality Port Adelaide outfit.