Onballer Tom Powell will make a welcome return for the final match of North Melbourne's VFL season after recovering from a groin injury.

Powell was a late withdrawal from last Friday's VFL match against the Bulldogs, but has been ruled fit to face Geelong at Arden St Oval on Sunday.

Father-son draft prospect Sam Harris, whose father Daniel played 149 games as a hard-nosed midfielder for the Kangaroos, will also play in the Kangaroos' closing 2026 game.

The pair are among five inclusions for Sunday, alongside Josh Goater, Callum Coleman-Jones and Oscar van Dam. 

Robert Hansen jnr comes out of the team after he was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a wrist injury, while James Tarrant is also injured.

Hugh Byrne misses through illness while David Brinker-Ritchie and Darcy Szersyn have been omitted this week. 

Sunday's game is at 12.05pm.

How to follow the game

You can live stream the match free via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Head here on gameday to keep up with the score and our best performers.

Round 21

Sunday, August 16
North Melbourne v Geelong at Arden Street Oval, 12.05pm AEST

Midfielder Bailey Scott racked up 38 disposals on Sunday afternoon, but it was ladder-leading Geelong that claimed a 34-point win in the final round of the 2026 season.

The Kangaroos got off to a shaky start, conceding to the Cats relentless pressure early before facing a 41-point deficit heading into the main break.

KANGAROOS vs CATS Full match coverage and stats

The start of the third quarter was not much better for the Roos, as they allowed the Cats to kick six goals in 11 minutes, resulting in a game-high margin of 70 points late in the term.

North Melbourne found some form late though, kicking nine of the last 11 goals of the game to close out their campaign.

The final score at Arden Street Oval saw the Kangaroos fall 16.17 (113) to 12.7 (79).

Player watch

Scott was the standout performer of the day, collecting 38 disposals to go along with eight tackles and seven clearances. His work in the midfield was elite, and he was able to impact throughout the whole day.

Josh Goater was strong in defence, gathering 26 disposals and six marks, while fellow backman Cooper Harvey (39 disposals, 12 marks, 12 rebound 50s) was a ball-magnet in his rebounding role. Harvey's ability to set up North Melbourne's attack in the second half was superb.

Mid-season draftee Ollie Griffin (nine disposals, three goals) made his impact felt in the second half, kicking all three of his majors in that period. This included a miraculous goal in the final term, when he managed to put one through with a shot over his head.

Zac Fisher (30 disposals, 90 per cent disposal efficiency) was great with his ball use throughout the clash. He also managed to work forward and kick the Roos' opening goal.

Tom Powell (13 disposals) and Lachy Dovaston (14 disposals) both hit the scoreboard with a major each, as did Matt Whitlock who booted one goal and clunked three contested grabs.

Father-son draft prospect Sam Harris (eight disposals) showed flashes in his first game at VFL level. Playing predominately in the forward line, he had some opportunities to shine late in the game and kicked a pearler from the boundary for his first goal as the level.

In his second VFL game, youngster Kieran Rice (28 disposals, seven marks) was impressive in his role and was one of North's best. Felix Kneipp also racked up 20 disposals.

What the coach has said

VFL coach Adam Marcon on the result: "(I) was disappointed with how we started the game. I thought we gave up too much territory, and we couldn't get it out of the back half, so we reset at half-time.

"The pleasing thing was that we won the second half and showed a bit of fight and character. Would've loved to see that earlier in the game but it was better late than never and it can be a good learning for us."

On Bailey Scott: "'Scotty' was really strong today in the middle. He racked up a bunch of touches, but more pleasing was the eight tackles, showing that he was able to do it on offence and defence today."

On Sam Harris: "He was really strong today and I liked what I saw from him as a lively forward. He had three shots on goal and somehow managed to kick the most difficult one of them.

"It's been great to have him around the club this year and more this week, so I think he can definitely turn into a lively forward in the future to come."

On the 2026 season: "A lot of learning has definitely come out of this season. We were really happy with where we were six weeks ago in terms of the ladder, but more than anything is that we should celebrate some of the success stories.

"Watching the AFL game on Saturday and seeing Zac Banch and Wil Dawson make the jump to legitimate AFL-level talent, that’s what we’re trying to produce. Even Xavier Bamert, who got picked up by Port in the mid-season draft has impressed, so we like to think that we’re creating an environment where guys can improve to hopefully become strong AFL players."

NORTH MELBOURNE    1.2     2.4        6.6      12.7      (79)
GEELONG CATS             5.5     8.9    14.10    16.17    (113)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Griffin 3, George 2, Lowe 2, Harris, Dovaston, Fisher, Powell, Whitlock
Geelong Cats: Mellor 5, Ballantyne 4, Stanley 2, Martin, G. Stevens, Pennisi, Bowes, Knevitt

BEST
North Melbourne: Griffin, Goater, Scott, Dow, Dovaston, Goad