A LOOK at some of the talking points from Port Adelaide's 33-point win against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Port Adelaide was back to its resilient best. Missing key personnel and after an eventful week, the Power bounced back, showing a hunger around the contest and a determination to get a result. After a disappointing loss to Geelong the club also had to endure the handing down of an AFL suspension to Sam Powell-Pepper, the death of Todd Marshall’s father, a lengthy ban to Lindsay Thomas by the tribunal and a season-ending injury to Hamish Hartlett. It was an ideal response by the Power.

The Power can win at Etihad. Its record shows just a 39% win rate at the Docklands venue and Port had lost there just two weeks ago but it didn’t seem to bother the side on Saturday. The Power was on top in the disposals, clearances, inside 50s and tackle statistics, and especially where it counted – the scoreboard.

Port Adelaide has plenty of avenues to goal but has been struggling to find them this season. Saturday’s game saw ten separate Power goal-kickers with Sam Gray the stand-out with four. It was a promising sign that the Power managed to eclipse 100 points for just the second time this season, especially given tall forwards Justin Westhoff, Jack Watts and Charlie Dixon provided just three goals between them – and that was with Dixon spending the majority of the game in the ruck.

Port Adelaide has a viable back-up ruckman to Paddy Ryder but not for the long-haul. Forward Charlie Dixon was brilliant in an uncustomary role against veteran Todd Goldstein. He managed 25 hit-outs to Goldstein’s 38 but also had 16 disposals, two marks, four clearances and four tackles. While the Kangaroos had an advantage in the hit-out stakes, Port won the clearances 38-32.

Port Adelaide’s efficiency inside 50 showed some improvement. The Power had 51 forward entries for 14 marks, a marked improvement on the 52 and four result against Geelong last week. The build-up play appeared quicker and more direct. Importantly forwards Charlie Dixon, Jack Watts, Chad Wingard, Jake Neade, Sam Gray, Robbie Gray and Aidyn Johnson each kicked at least one major, underlining Port’s scoring potential.

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