North Melbourne Stuns Port Adelaide with 46-Point Dominance
North Melbourne has sent a clear message to the AFL this season, dismantling Port Adelaide by 46 points at Marvel Stadium in a performance that combined precision, pace and power. The Kangaroos hadn’t beaten the Power since 2019, but today they looked every bit the team to watch in 2026, running out 17.11 to 9.13 winners.
The game started with Port Adelaide showing early intent. Darcy Byrne-Jones and Mitch Georgiades struck quickly, giving the visitors a brief lead. But North Melbourne, led by captain Nick Larkey, seized control with a series of swift, aggressive plays. Cam Zurhaar added two early goals and the Roos headed into the first break with a narrow advantage, setting the tone for what was to come.
From there, it was all North. The midfield dominated clearances, with Luke Davies-Uniacke’s impact around stoppages particularly telling. Harry Sheezel collected 31 possessions, threading the ball through traffic and setting up scoring opportunities. Charlie Comben electrified the home crowd with a booming 55-meter goal, while Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma kept the scoreboard ticking over. By halftime, the Kangaroos led by 25 points and the momentum was firmly theirs.
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The second half only magnified North’s dominance. Jy Simpkin’s clever soccered goal and Larkey’s continued accuracy pushed the lead out to 38 points at three-quarter time. Port Adelaide briefly rallied, cutting the margin early in the final term, but Paul Curtis’s solo brilliance—slipping through traffic for a crucial goal—snuffed out any hope of a comeback.
Individually, Nick Larkey led the way with four goals, supported by Cooper Trembath, who notched three in just his fifth AFL game. New debutant Tom Blamires impressed with 23 disposals from half-back, while the Kangaroos’ defensive structure smothered the Power, leaving key players like Connor Rozee and Zak Butters struggling for consistent support. For Port Adelaide, Todd Marshall’s ankle injury added to the challenge, further hampering a team already on the back foot.
This result carries significance beyond the margin. Josh Carr, in his first game as Port Adelaide senior coach, faces immediate questions about how to restore confidence and consistency in a side that looked outmatched at every turn. For North Melbourne, the victory breaks a six-game losing streak against the Power and offers a springboard for a promising season, especially with upcoming matches against West Coast and Essendon.
North’s performance showcased depth, composure and skill, marking them as serious contenders early in 2026. The Kangaroos combined attacking flair with defensive resilience, a balance that could define their season if maintained.
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