NORTH MELBOURNE has suffered a significant injury blow leading into its match against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

The Kangaroos have ruled out spearhead Ben Brown for the remainder of the season after he had surgery on his injured knee.

Brown terrorised the Port defence on the last occasion the sides met, booting an incredible ten goals in an 86-point win.

He joins a long injury list at Arden Street, which includes Curtis Taylor, who this week signed a two-year contract extension with the club.

Others who won’t feature again this season include Dom Tyson (calf), Ben Jacobs (head/neck), Ben Cunnington (quad), Tarryn Thomas (ankle) and Jamie Macmillan (personal leave) among a host of other players.

There is still hope that captain Jack Ziebell and GWS recruit Aiden Bonar will pass fitness tests and feature against Port after respective hamstring and shoulder injuries.

North is coming off a 63-point loss to Gold Coast in one of its most disappointing performances of the season. The side has won just once in its last 12 games and only three times in what has turned into a disappointing season.

Prior to last season’s annihilation, Port Adelaide had won the previous five meetings between the sides, although the Kangaroos hold an impressive overall record of 22 wins from 35 games.

The Kangaroos will name their side on Friday evening for the game at the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium the following night.