It was way back on April 18, 2015 that North last played against Port Adelaide.

The game was considered one of the best of the season, with free-flowing end-to-end football the order of the day. The Power were victorious to the tune of eight points.

15 months later, things have changed significantly.

Higgins, Jacobs, McDonald, Wright and Waite are all on the sidelines for North, with Waite the only player a chance of being available on Saturday afternoon.

For Port, Patrick Ryder is out for the season (suspended), while Brad Ebert, who polled three Brownlow votes when the teams last met, is in doubt with a bruised lung. Likewise Matt White (pectoral), who kicked three goals in that Etihad Stadium clash.

The Power boast a dangerous inclusion though; Charlie Dixon. North’s defenders will have bad memories of his seven-goal haul as a Gold Coast Sun last year.

While he’s still finding his feet at Port, Dixon has averaged two goals a game and could play a huge part in the result.

Jay Schulz is also back after a long spell on the sidelines. The key-forward booted four goals in the teams’ last clash and has enjoyed two weeks back at the level to regain some touch.

At their feet, Chad Wingard is an ever-present threat, while Aaron Young has been a revelation with 28 goals for the season.

The midfield battle looms as an intriguing one. Ken Hinkley has the likes of Robbie Gray, Ollie Wines and Travis Boak as three of the better contested players in the competition, coming up against Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Andrew Swallow.

After tagging roles on Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell, Kane Mitchell could be in line for another big job against North.

Jackson Trengove has battled admirably in the absence of Ryder and Matthew Lobbe, and faces another huge task against one of the league’s premier rucks this week.

Despite being somewhat undersized for a ruckman (197 cm), his athleticism has helped him find plenty of the ball around the ground, sure to provide Todd Goldstein with a big test.

Down back, Jasper Pittard is having a career-best year, with his run and carry ability vital, while Nathan Krakouer, Darcy Byrne-Jones and Matthew Broadbent can also create drive going the other way.

And don’t forget Justin Westhoff, who can go back, forward or float through the ruck.

The Power are currently three wins outside the eight, but are far from out of the finals race. They’ve lost five games by 22 points or less, a sign of the challenge they can present for any team.