In their first venture to Hobart this season, the Kangaroos will be striving to bounce back from a sixth straight loss when they host Port Adelaide at Blundstone Arena.

A lift in competitiveness saw North Melbourne test a credible St Kilda outfit last Sunday, but despite matching the Saints in the inside 50 count (48 apiece), a lack of refinement around goals made it difficult to reach a winning score.

Alastair Clarkson's side will be out to rectify that on Saturday though, in a contest expected to come with some added drama.

The opposition

Despite being wayward in front of goal against the Bombers at Adelaide Oval last week, the Power's 12.20 was just enough to seal a fifth straight win for the season and sixth overall.

A factor that looms large ahead of this weekend though, is the heavily anticipated encounter between North Melbourne and former clubman Jason Horne-Francis. Fans are eager to observe the ways in which their Kangaroos will combat the South Australian that once called Arden Street home.

He'll be accompanied fellow youngsters Zak Butters and Connor Rozee who continue to elevate their on-field performances and garner opposition attention as the new wave of forerunners at Alberton. Butters, who tallied 28 disposals and six clearances in Round 8, and Rozee (29, one goal) were the key drivers in their side's five-point win over Essendon, complemented by veteran Travis Boak who has found form as of late.

However, livewire forward Junior Rioli will be absent after the Tribunal confirmed on Wednesday that he would be suspended for the next two weeks for his off-the-ball hit on Essendon's Jordan Ridley.

What the coaches have said

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson post-game v St Kilda: "Everyone would've seen some opportunities that we had, particularly in the first half, when there were three chances that were nearly walk-in sodas and somehow, we found a way to miss them. But in terms of the contest ... we were in that game of footy.

"We troubled St Kilda trying to stop them from moving the footy the way they like, and I thought we were really competitive but at the end of the day we just lacked some of the polish they had.

"We take these little wins out of the game. All it does is show we’re getting closer to a win – not quite there yet, but hopefully we'll be there pretty soon."

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley post-game v Essendon: "We're very happy to be in the position that we're in at this stage (but) we're not resting on happy, we're resting on turning up again and playing the right way next week.

"Because the competition is so tight and so tough that if you drop off for three or four weeks then you end up losing three or four games, too … you need to be strong enough, tough enough and resilient enough to keep chalking up wins."

Running hot

Longstanding Roo Jack Ziebell and accomplished recruit Liam Shiels are ageing like fine wine.

Although last Sunday's result fell the way of the opposition, the production from the veteran duo shouldn’t be neglected.

As he has been throughout 2023, Ziebell was a rock in defence against the Saints, tallying 36 disposals at 94 per cent efficiency, 18 marks, nine rebounds 50s and seven intercept possessions.

Equally as impressive through midfield was fellow 32-year-old Shiels who amassed nine tackles, seven marks, five clearances and a season-high 28 touches in the club's return to Marvel Stadium.

They might be in the twilight phase of their respective careers, but both remain as motivated as ever to set the tone through their physicality and professionalism on gameday.

Last time we met

When Saturday rolls around, it will almost mark an exact year since North Melbourne and Port Adelaide last faced off.

Round 9 last season saw the Roos host the Power at Blundstone Arena on May 14 and it was the visitors who left with the four points, running out 69-point victors.

A first-term surge from the South Australian club saw it jump out to an early 32-point lead, which ultimately became insurmountable for the Roos who fell behind in all key statistical metrics.

Midfielder Ollie Wines led the way for Port, collecting 32 disposals, nine clearances and a goal, while Cam Zurhaar (three goals, 17 disposals) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (25 disposals, seven clearances) were North Melbourne's two best.