1. North falters again, while Port still breathes
Talk about an eight-point game. This was a disaster for North and, contrastingly, the perfect-world scenario for Port. A Roos' victory would have all but extinguished the Power's slim finals hopes, but their resultant loss – their fifth in succession, by an average of 27 points – has further eroded their confidence, shattered their top-four ambitions and given the Power a sniff of replacing them in September. The latter prospect, as unlikely as it still seems, would be one of the most stunning in-season falls from grace in memory.
2. Port powers away early
Port's desperation and urgency rattled North from the outset. The Power recaptured the frenetic style they became known for under Ken Hinkley to pile on six goals to none and lead by 34 points at the first change. Their efficiency was such that midway through the term they led 5.1 to 0.4 despite the inside 50 count being nine apiece. The chief instigator was part-time ruckman Jackson Trengove, who not only dominated Todd Goldstein around the ground but also, surprisingly, at stoppages. Fellow tall Justin Westhoff was also influential with 13 possessions (five contested) and two goals, while Jay Schulz also slotted two majors and Chad Wingard (one) was damaging.
3. Spud's stiff penalty
Just 20 seconds into the game, a controversial free kick gifted Port Adelaide the opening goal and provoked an angry response from North Melbourne fans. From the first bounce, the Power went long to full-forward, where Kangaroos veteran Michael Firrito ran onto a loose ball. As he was tackled by Power forward Charlie Dixon at the top of the goalsquare, Firrito handballed high over the goal-line and was penalised for deliberately rushing a behind. Even allowing for the stricter enforcement of the rule of late, it appeared a tough call. In the second term, a free to Port's Jarman Impey for a high tackle also drew howls of protest from the Shinboner faithful.
4. The Roos' goalkicking blues
The Kangaroos' best score over their previous month of losses had been just 11.18 (84) – and this time their poor conversion plummeted to new depths. The Roos created enough opportunities but their set-shot efforts left much to be desired. At three-quarter time they'd fired 22 scoring shots to 18 but trailed by 36 points. They were particularly wasteful in the third term when they kicked away their chances of a revival with 2.9 to 3.0, with Jarrad Waite (twice), Drew Petrie (twice), Sam Gibson, Daniel Wells and Ben Brown missing gettable – and in some cases, regulation – chances. Brown broke a run of six successive behinds before kicking two team-lifting goals. Veterans Petrie and Waite went goalless.
5. Dixon's ankle
The only lowlight for the Power was another ankle injury to Charlie Dixon. The former Gold Coast key forward has long managed such issues and this time tweaked his left ankle after a marking contest early in the final term. Big Charlie tried to play on but he was soon helped from the field by trainers. Another concern for Port was the condition of tough midfielder Ollie Wines, who underwent tests for concussion before returning to the action. It was a similar scenario for North goalsneak Lindsay Thomas (three goals).
