North Melbourne defender Jackson Archer will make his playing return in Saturday's VFL match against Port Melbourne at Arden St.

Archer, who has not played since injuring his left hamstring in North Melbourne's Round 8 AFL game against Essendon, is one of six inclusions for the Roos.

He is expected to play managed minutes as he returns to match fitness.

Prolific forward Cooper Harvey returns to the line-up after serving as an emergency for the AFL side last weekend, along with tall Brynn Teakle.

Cooper Trembath will also play his first VFL match since becoming an AFL-listed Kangaroo in last month's mid-season rookie draft. He is joined in Saturday's side by Tom Cappellari and Samuel Linder. 

Kallan Dawson and Wil Dawson are both on AFL duty and come out of the side that beat Werribee in Round 11. Youngster Luke Urquhart is injured, while Ben Huggard, Tyson Scoble and Louis Butler have been omitted.

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Round 12

Saturday, June 14
North Melbourne v Port Melbourne at Arden St Oval, 2.05pm AEST

North Melbourne has suffered a 23-point defeat at the hands of an opportunistic Port Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

Despite having fewer inside-50 entries than the hosts, Port Melbourne made the most of its chances to overcome the Kangaroos, leaving a cold and blustery Arden Street Oval with a 14.12 (96) to 11.7 (73) win.

KANGAROOS v BOROUGH Full match coverage and stats

The visitors gained the ascendency early with six of the first seven goals and were able to keep the Roos at bay for the remainder of the match.

Player watch

Will Phillips was tough in and around the contest and was involved in a number of attacking chains through the middle. The midfielder battled hard despite tight opposition attention to rack up 26 disposals while laying 12 tackles on the defensive end.

Geordie Payne continued to show his potential as a mid-forward option for the senior side. The livewire was relentless with his pressure at the stoppage and around the ground, laying nine tackles while picking up 23 disposals.

Thrust into defence for the first three quarters, Cooper Harvey (21 disposals, five tackles) displayed his versatility and got better as the game went on.

The No.37 used his speed and marking ability to rebound and kickstart the Roos' transition game out of defence, before later being restored to the forward-line.

Zane Duursma's efforts helped keep his side in the contest for most of the afternoon. The young gun played most of the afternoon on the wing and through the middle before being swung forward late where he slotted his third major through a composed 20m chip shot.

Jackson Archer showed plenty of positive signs in his return from a hamstring injury, picking up 11 disposals and five intercepts in managed minutes. He played deep in defence and took a couple of early intercept marks.

Playing as the primary target inside forward 50, Finnbar Maley (13 disposals, nine marks) booted three goals, while fellow attacker Brayden George also hit the scoreboard with two majors.

It was a strong second term for George who set up Brynn Teakle with a bullet pass to the top of the goal square, before kicking his two goals in quick succession just before the main break.

Playing as a key defender, Cooper Trembath (18 disposals, 10 intercepts) impressed with his intercept marking in his first game as an AFL-listed Kangaroo.

Matthew Keast built on his impressive season, picking up 27 disposals and six clearances in a fast and physical midfield battle.

Next up

North Melbourne will be back in action next Saturday, June 21 as it takes on Carlton at Ikon Park. The first bounce is scheduled for 4.05pm AEST.

NORTH MELBOURNE     1.4    6.5     7.6     11.7    (73)
PORT MELBOURNE        5.0    8.4    12.7   14.12   (96)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Duursma 3, Maley 3, George 2, Teakle, Banch, Harvey
Port Melbourne: Miller 4, Hird 2, Cahill 2, Clarke 2, Watson, Anastasio, Alessio, Stubbings

BEST
North Melbourne: Keast, Coleman-Jones, Tomlinson, Maley