Sunday football kicks off at Docklands as North Melbourne and Port Adelaide begin their campaigns under the roof. The Roos and Power both had disappointing campaigns in 2025, so this presents as a big opportunity to get off to a winning start
We bring you our full preview and expert tips for the Kangaroos vs Power below, with odds thanks to Dabble!
North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Prediction & Betting Tips: AFL 2026 Round 1
Expectations Rising
It’s go time for the Kangaroos in 2026, they must show major signs of improvement which has taken a long time under Alistair Clarkson. Coming into Clarkson’s fourth season, the Roos have finished 17th, 17th and 16th in his three seasons in charge. Further back, North Melbourne haven’t finished higher than 16th since 2019 and given the amount of top end picks they’ve had in that time span they should be far progressed in the rebuild. Their pre-season form didn’t give hope for much improvement, being belted by Melbourne and just scrapping past a Collingwood side that barely fielded any senior players.
A New Era
Josh Carr takes the reins for his first game as Port Adelaide coach, with a big opportunity to get on the board against the Roos. It was an underwhelming off season at Alberton, with the Power not taking a single player in the national draft, and only adding some discarded players in Jacob Wehr, Corey Durdin and Will Brodie. Expectations are low which should assist Carr in his first season, however the Power will be desperate to ensure they don’t regress after finishing in 13th position in 2025.
Recent Head to Head History
This matchup has been one way traffic over the past decade, with Port Adelaide winning ten of their last eleven games against the Roos.The Power have won six straight against North by an average margin of 49 points, with four of those wins coming by 50+ points.
Kangaroos or Power? Here’s our North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Tip
Whilst there is optimism around North Melbourne, it is nearly impossible to trust them given their track record. They’re relying on internal growth which hasn’t really transpired with a lot of players in this decade long rebuild, and they haven’t added any pieces to a backline that has been torn to shreds over recent seasons. Over the past five seasons the Roos have conceded 102 points per game (ranked 17th), 110 points (18th), 100 points (17th), 108 points per game (18th), 94 points (ranked 18th). A bottom 2 defence for five years running, conceding an average over 100 points in four straight seasons, yet they’ve kept the same pieces in defence in 2026.
Whilst Port Adelaide certainly won’t be world beaters in 2026, they have enough pieces through the midfield and up forward that they will generate enough looks at goal against a very ordinary defence. With their dominant record against the Kangaroos over the last ten years, the Power should have enough to cover the small line of -8.5.
Port Adelaide -8.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Prop Bet
On the back of North Melbourne’s struggling defence, Mitch Georgiades could be in for a big afternoon on Sunday. Georgiades had a brilliant season in 2025, kicking 58 goals. Georgiades kicked 3+ goals on eleven occasions. Georgiades has kicked seven goals in his last three games against the Roos, and will start his season on a high.
Mitch Georgiades 3+ Goals
$2.08
North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Same Game Multi
Zak Butters 30+ Disposals: Butters is coming off a career best season in 2025, averaging a career high 27.9 disposals en route to winning Port Adelaide’s best and fairest. Butters hit the 30+ disposal mark in five of his last nine games in 2025, and averaged 31 disposals across his last three games.
Connor Rozee 25+ Disposals: The move to half back proved fruitful for the Port skipper last season, with Rozee averaging a career high 27.5 disposals per game in 2025. Rozee has enjoyed playing against North Melbourne, recording 25+ disposals in three of his last four games against the Roos.
Paul Curtis Anytime Goal Scorer: Paul Curtis’ breakout season was a bright spot for North Melbourne in 2025, kicking a career high 38 goals despite playing just 19 games. Curtis kicked a goal in 16 of his 19 games last year, including 3 goals against the Power in Round 7. Curtis will be looking to pick up where he ended last season, kicking 8 goals in his final two games.
SGM Odds: $3.25 at Dabble
North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Sunday 15th March
Time: 1:10pm AEDT
Location: Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Odds: North Melbourne $2.30 vs Port Adelaide $1.62
Line: Port Adelaide -8.5
Points: 188.5
Where to Watch North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide?
You can watch North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide on Kayo Sports.
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