[VIDEO] North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Port Adelaide Power highlights: AFL scores, blog

MATCH REPORT:

It was a thrilling match but in the end the Port Adelaide Power scored their first victory for the year, defeating the North Melbourne Kangaroos by eight points.

The tone was set early as no less than three players came off after heavy bumps in the first quarter, and the hard running pace of the game left both teams exhausted before the first break.

Jack Ziebell collided with Ollie Wines in the first quarter and was subbed out after coughing up blood. He’s spending the night in the hospital with suspected bruising on his lungs. Tom Jonas and Sam Wright both took big hits in the first term, but both eventually returned to the game.

The Power lead by nine points at the first break after a controversial free kick allowed Angus Monfries to kick a late goal.

The second term was again a hard fought affair, but it was the Power who came out on top. They kicked three goals in the last four minutes to go into half time with a significant break.

But North came bursting out of the blocks in the third term, kicking four straight goals and ultimately six for the quarter to get them back in the game.

To see Robbie Tarrant, who played just a single game last year while battling a long-term injury, sneak forward and kick a goal in his first game back was a sight that put smiles on faces everywhere.

Port however hit back late in the third, kicking the last two goals of the term to go into the final quarter with a 9-point advantage.

The last quarter was as great an arm wrestle as you ever will see – North hit the front with just a few minutes to go after two consecutive goals to Lindsay Thomas, but a late goal to Aaron Young put the power up by 2 points with just four minutes left on the clock.

Ollie Wines was subbed off late in the piece and sent to hospital for scans on his arm.

North battled hard to try and get over the final hurdle but their hopes were sunk when Kane Mitchell slotted the sealer with 26 seconds left on the siren.

Both teams put in great performances, but in the end, it was Port Adelaide who went home with the four points.

North Melbourne 16.9.105 def. by Port Adelaide 17.11.113

Votes
3 – Hamish Hartlett
2 – Brad Ebert
1 – Andrew Swallow

MATCH PREVIEW:

Two of last year’s preliminary finalists go head to head tonight when North Melbourne host Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.20pm AEST.

Last September these two sides made history, as both broke into the prelim finals despite finishing outside the top four. Prior to last year, that had been done only a single time under the current finals system.

However, the good form hasn’t rolled over into 2015. After two weeks, Port are winless and North Melbourne have just the one win from their opening fortnight.

Port have been up against hard competition. They were only narrowly beaten by Fremantle, but they were then dominated by the Swans at home last week.

North on the other hand copped a 77-point caning at the hands of Adelaide in Round 1, only to deliver an 82-point belting Brisbane’s way in Round 2.

This leaves their clash tonight arguably the most interesting game of the round. The Power will be desperate to get a win and break their duck, but North will be no less adamant in their desire for victory. So, who will come out on top?

North could make an argument for the home ground advantage. They’ve won the last five clashes between these two teams at Etihad, with Port’s last victory against North there coming in a 2005 Elimination final.

Not a single Port Adelaide player from the side that won that game almost a decade ago will be playing tonight.

The Power have made some bold moves at the selection table, too. Jarrad Redden and Jake Neade have been dropped after poor performances last week, Jarman Impey is out with a hamstring, but most surprisingly, Kane Cornes is being rested from the game.

Coach Ken Hinkley said Cornes was simply being managed to ensure he could play out the year in fine style, but it still comes a surprise given the Power are 0-2 and coming up against a quality side.

Cornes has missed just one game – through suspension – in the last four years, and only six games since 2004.

Aaron Young and Kane Mitchell come into the side after impressive SANFL performances but the other returnee goes a bit further back. Nathan Krakouer is back in the side after last playing for the Power no less than 1714 days ago.

Krakouer walked out on the club to join the Gold Coast at the end of the 2010 season but eventually retired after playing just 13 games for the Suns. A career revival in the SANFL last year lead to him being welcomed back at Alberton via the rookie draft.

The Power are also debuting Brendon Ah Chee, who will finally play his first game for the club after being taken at pick 45 in the 2011 draft.

North’s changes are much simpler. Ryan Bastinac has come in to replace Nick Dal Santo, who is expected to miss 8-12 weeks with a hamstring, and Joel Tippett has been dropped for Robbie Tarrant.

Prediction
This game has all the makings of a classic. Two teams that are fairly evenly matched, both desperate to win. The Kangaroos have a good record against Port in Melbourne, so I’m tipping them.

North Melbourne by 12 points.

Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.20pm AEST.