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North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Port Adelaide Power AFL Betting Tips - Roos backed for Round 1 success

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Thu 12 Mar 2026 22:18

Adam Cusworth 12 Mar 2026

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North Melbourne set for a promising season start against Port Adelaide.
Port Adelaide's road struggles could be crucial in the match outcome.
Key performances expected from Harry Sheezel and Mitch Georgiades.

Expired

North Melbourne Kangaroos are backed for victory (Getty Images)

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Preview
Head to Head Stats
North Melbourne Kangaroos Prepare For Breakout Year
Port Adelaide Power Road Struggles
North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Team News

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Preview

North Melbourne have been hard to trust in recent seasons but this could be their breakout year. Port Adelaide had a poor interstate record last season and I'm backing the Roos as value in the head to head for this match.

Port Adelaide won just one of 10 interstate matches last season.
Harry Sheezel has had 30+ disposals in his past four matches, including 54 against Richmond in Round 23 last season
Mitch Georgiades has kicked 2+ goals in his past three matches against North Melbourne
Nick Larkey has booted eight goals in his past two matches at Marvel Stadium

Head to Head Stats

Port Adelaide have won the past six matches between the two sides by an average margin of 49 points but the Kangaroos came close the last time the two sides met, going down by nine points in the 2025 Round 7 Adelaide Oval clash.

North Melbourne Kangaroos Prepare For Breakout Year

North Melbourne endured another difficult season in 2025, finishing 16th with a 5-17-1 record as their rebuild continued.

Their Community Series clash against Collingwood produced one of the more encouraging performances of the pre-season. The Kangaroos overturned a 31-point deficit to win by a point after dominating the final quarter.

Young midfielders provided the spark while Harry Sheezel (33 disposals) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (33) continued to accumulate possessions through the middle. Nick Larkey booted three goals.

That result was a positive response to the Match Simulation against Melbourne that saw them go down by 80.

Port Adelaide Power Road Struggles

Port Adelaide finished 13th in 2025 with a 7-16 record and struggled badly away from Adelaide, winning just one of ten interstate matches.

Their Community Series clash with West Coast showed promising signs as the Power controlled large portions of the match.

Zak Butters finished with 36 disposals and Connor Rozee had 33, generating repeat inside-50 entries. Mitch Georgiades capitalised up forward with six goals.

Port went down to their cross-town rivals, Adelaide, in match simulation in their only other pre-season hitout.

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Team News

North Melbourne will be without young star George Wardlaw early in the season due to a hamstring injury. Colby McKercher (finger) and Luke McDonald (wrist) are overcoming concerns but may be available.

Harry Sheezel is expected to spend more time through the midfield after an impressive pre-season, while Nick Larkey remains the focal point inside 50. Callum Coleman-Jones is also expected to rotate between ruck and forward roles.

Port Adelaide enter Round 1 with a relatively settled lineup. Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Jason Horne-Francis remain the key drivers through the midfield while Mitch Georgiades and Todd Marshall provide forward targets.

Defensively, Aliir Aliir continues to anchor the backline.

Verdict

North Melbourne Kangaroos v Port Adelaide Power

Kangaroos in a close one with Sheezel instrumental. Larkey and Georgiades to fire up at either end.

North Melbourne

Match Result

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Harry Sheezel

30+ disposals

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Mitch Georgiades

3+ goals

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Nick Larkey

3+ goals

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