Jasmine Garner bagged six goals as she led her side to a 13.9 (87) to 2.3 (15) win over Port Adelaide on the Kangaroos' home deck of Arden Street on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The reigning premier dominated possession across the match. It is not unlike Port Adelaide to lose the disposal count – averaging 35 fewer than its opposition throughout 2024 – but given the Roos' skill, giving up so much of the footy really hurt.

North Melbourne's signature spread repeatedly caught the Power out. As the visitors worked hard to create plenty of contested ball, the moment the Roos were able to pop the ball out to a receiver they found themselves in acres of space.

It meant that the rare fumble or miskick from North was easily recoverable, and attacking movement often resulted in an outnumber close to goal.

The Irish trio of Blaithin Bogue, Amy Gavin Mangan, and Vikki Wall waxed and waned inside 50 for the Roos, and last year's leading goalkicker Alice O'Loughlin (13 disposals, one goal) wreaked havoc.

An undersized Port Adelaide defence worked hard in the absence of Amelie Borg (ankle) and Janelle Cuthbertson (knee/foot), but struggled in the face of North Melbourne's quick ball movement and wealth of tall forward options.

The Power repeatedly attempted risky switches across their defensive goal, finding themselves susceptible to the Roos' forward pressure, but it was a clear attempt to get the ball to the open side of the ground and make the most of the space created in attack.

Instead of bunkering down and making it a hyper-defensive game against a strong North Melbourne outfit, Port Adelaide continued to take the game on and try to get attacking.

Matilda Scholz (16 disposals, 15 hitouts) threatened to do the damage on the scoreboard for the Power, with two set shots in the third term fading late, while Gemma Houghton (two goals) never stopped working to create space and time for herself.

Next up
North Melbourne will aim to break the AFLW winning streak record as it travels west to take on a smarting Fremantle side on Sunday afternoon, meanwhile Port Adelaide will return home for its first Indigenous Round fixture, hosting Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon at Alberton Oval.

NORTH MELBOURNE   4.4    7.7    11.8   13.9 (87)
PORT ADELAIDE         0.0    1.0    2.3   2.3 (15)

GOALS 

North Melbourne: Garner 6, Gavin Mangan, Randall, Bogue, Riddell, Wall, O'Loughlin, Shierlaw

Port Adelaide: Houghton 2

BEST 

North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Sheerin, Bogue, Tripodi, M.King
Port Adelaide: Tahau, Houghton, Germech, Scholz

INJURIES 

North Melbourne: Rennie (left ankle)
Port Adelaide: Nil

LATE CHANGES

North Melbourne: Jenna Bruton (quad) replaced in selected side by Amy Gavin Mangan
Port Adelaide: Nil

Crowd: 2,346 at Arden Street Oval