Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard and Angus Monfries are a trio which will try and make life tough for North's smaller defenders on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.
Robbie Gray
Gray is in the mould of players who doesn't need a high possession count to dramatically influence a game. He is averaging 15 disposals a game through the first two rounds, yet was arguably a prime reason for Port's Round 1 victory against Carlton.
Gray had just the five possessions in the final term, but kicked three of the side's seven goals for the quarter to help break the game apart.
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Finding a good matchup for Gray is tough. Despite standing at 183cm, he can take a strong mark, meaning any opponent will have to be equally adept on the ground and in the air.
Going off the North side which faced the Bulldogs, Shaun Atley, Aaron Mullett, Jamie Macmillan and Luke McDonald are the likely smaller defenders for this Sunday. One of these four will have the responsibility of quietening Gray.
Angus Monfries
The former Bomber has not missed a game since crossing to Alberton at the end of 2012. Historically Monfries has struggled against North - his disposal average against the Roos is lower than any other opponent in nine encounters.
However more time further up the ground so far in 2014 means he will be a different player to counter. During 2013 Monfries averaged 5.5 possessions a game in the defensive half of the ground.
Through two rounds the number has been bumped up to nine in amongst a total average of almost 20. The total number would be a career high if maintained over the entire season.
Of the four aforementioned Roos defenders, Macmillan is the one who tends to play the furthest up the ground in a defensive role. So he could be the one to go to Monfries, but it leaves perhaps the crown jewel of the Port trio yet to be accounted for.
Chad Wingard
After being selected at Pick 6 by Port Adelaide in the 2011 National Draft, a relatively quiet first year provided little indicator of what the left footer was capable of.
Since then, Wingard has blossomed into one of the best forward-midfielders in the competition. Just as dangerous in front of goal as he is in the midfield, his All-Australian selection in 2013 meant he was the youngest man to make the team in almost 20 years.
As simple as it sounds, it's Wingard's tenacity around the ball which makes him such a tough cover for defenders. Take this passage of play against Adelaide as an example. Seemingly hopelessly outnumbered, Wingard keeps persisting and manages to get a handball out to Travis Boak for an easy goal.
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When Wingard is having a quiet disposal day, he can still pop up in front of goals to hurt the opposition. In 2013, Wingard's four worst games in terms of disposals still yielded seven goals. Considering both of North's games have been low-scoring so far, any goal could be extremely valuable on Sunday.
