PORT Adelaide has started 2014 in the same vein it finished last season, its opening two wins suggesting Ken Hinkley's young team can build on its unlikely fifth-place finish in 2013. North Melbourne, on the other hand, has started the season more slowly, its players taking time to adjust to a slightly tweaked game plan. The teams' past two clashes have been close, but you suspect the Roos will have to lift their game to beat a Port team that has won five of its past seven games in Melbourne, including three of its past four at Etihad Stadium.

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WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday April 6, 4:40pm
 
 
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2013, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Port Adelaide 12.11 (83) at Blundstone Arena
R8, 2012, Port Adelaide 14.11 (95) d North Melbourne 14.9 (93) at AAMI Stadium
R14, 2011, North Melbourne 21.10 (136) d Port Adelaide 14.7 (91) at AAMI Stadium
R6, 2011, North Melbourne 18.25 (133) d Port Adelaide 10.13 (73) at Etihad Stadium
R13, 2010, North Melbourne 19.15 (129) d Port Adelaide 14.9 (93) at Etihad Stadium
 
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Kangaroos have dominated the Power in recent seasons, winning seven of their past 10 matches.
 
2. Port Adelaide is ranked fourth this season for centre clearances, averaging 15 a game, while North Melbourne is ranked 16th (9.5 a game).
 
3. The Kangaroos are second-last this season for inside-50s with just 42 a game, with the Power ranked 11th (49.5 a game).
 
4. Port has defeated North only once in six contests at Etihad Stadium, winning the 2005 elimination final by 87 points.
 
5. In the opening two rounds, the Power have finished games strongly, kicking seven goals in each of their final quarters.
 
6. Former North skipper Brent Harvey climbed from 10th to sixth in the Official AFL Player Ratings after his best-on-ground performance against the Western Bulldogs in round two. Port skipper Travis Boak is his team's top-ranked player at No. 23.
 
Prediction: Port Adelaide by 17 points