IN: G Houghton 27, L Johnson 23
OUT: C Hammond 28 (omitted), T Doumanis 8 (omitted)
Key forward Gemma Houghton will make her much-anticipated return to AFLW this weekend, while 18-year-old Lily Johnson will make her league debut.
Houghton’s selection comes almost six weeks post-syndesmosis surgery, with the experienced campaigner set to add firepower to Port Adelaide’s forward line.
The 28-year-old made an impact on the scoreboard in Rounds 1 and 2, most memorably scoring the club’s first goal in the AFLW competition.
A native Tasmanian, debutante Johnson was selected as Port’s seventh pick (80 overall) at the AFLW Draft in June.
The forward made the move to South Australia to pursue football at SANFLW level and ultimately, on the national stage.
The West Adelaide product made her senior state debut earlier this year and has shown she can be smart up forward and through the centre of the ground.
Sarah Goodwin, Cheyenne Hammond and Tessa Doumanis have all been named emergencies.
North Melbourne is currently sitting seventh on the ladder and will arrive at Alberton off the back of a seven-point loss to Brisbane.
The clash begins at 12:40pm ACDT and will be shown live on Foxy Footy, Kayo and womens.afl.
Round 8 Team Selection
B: A. Borg 21, A Ballard 19
HB: H Dunn 24, I Tahau 10, E O’Dea 2
C: A Foley 3, J Mules 14, S Syme 20
HF: G Houghton 27, K Surman 26, E Phillips 1-C
F: J Halfpenny 4, A Dowrick 5
Foll: O Levicki 18, J Yorston 6, M Moloney 9
I/C: L Johnson 23, E Boag 17, H Ewings 12, Li Cockatoo-Motlap 30, B Perry 33
Emergencies: S Goodwin 13, C Hammond 28, T Doumanis 8
