North Melbourne's hunt for a first win at Adelaide Oval goes on, after Port Adelaide held the charging Roos at bay to win by nine points, 14.13 (97) to 13.10 (88).

There were plenty of positives in an improved Round 7 performance by the Kangaroos, who trailed by 29 points at the first change after conceding four damaging goals in time-on in the first quarter.

But while North Melbourne supporters might have feared another blowout, a revitalised side emerged after quarter-time. 

The Roos won the second term five-goals-to-two, sending a clear signal to the Power they had a fight on their hands. 

POWER v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

A goal late in the third quarter to recently re-signed superstar Luke Davies-Uniacke narrowed the gap to just six points, as tempers boiled over in a game played with feeling in front of a typically parochial Port Adelaide crowd.

That margin was as close as the Kangaroos would get, but they never lowered their colours in a tensely-fought final quarter.

Milestone man Luke Parker was among North Melbourne's best in his 300th game, capping his day by snapping a second-quarter goal created by teammates George Wardlaw and Jack Darling. 

Jason Horne-Francis tormented his former Roos teammates with 27 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal.

But he also caused some grief for his own club, involved in animated discussion with coach Ken Hinkley, captain Connor Rozee and vice-captain Zak Butters at three-quarter time.

Horne-Francis had just tangled with North skipper Jy Simpkin late in the third term, giving up an easy goal in a behind-the-ball skirmish.

Port laid its victory platform with a slick 7.3 opening quarter, its highest scoring term of the year, then withstood a series of Roos bounce-backs.

North was just six points down late in the third term, and seven adrift seven minutes into the final quarter.

But the Power prevailed for a fourth win from seven games, with stalwart Darcy Byrne-Jones (three goals), Ollie Lord (two) and Mitch Georgiades (two) crucial.

Horne-Francis was ever-present and Butters (27 disposals, 13 tackles), half-back Rozee (27 and a goal) and forward Sam Powell-Pepper were all influential.

North's Paul Curtis was a standout with three goals from his 16 touches, and Harry Sheezel collected a match-high 30 disposals.

Veteran recruit Parker (27 disposals, one goal) was again prominent, as was Davies-Uniacke (25, one goal), but the Kangaroos paid a heavy price for their sluggish start.

Port led 7.3 to 2.4 at quarter-time before North turned the tide in an impressive second stanza, rewarded with five goals to two.

The Roos, sparked by Parker and the lively Curtis, were within 12 points when Nick Larkey took an eye-catching pack mark and ran into goal.

Port led 9.5 to 7.5 at half-time but lost defender Josh Sinn, who was substituted with concussion after being crunched in a tackle.

The Power went 24 points up in the third quarter, but the Kangas again rallied with three consecutive majors – the last from Davies-Uniacke after Horne-Francis' ill-discipline reducing the margin to six points.

A late strike from Port's Byrne-Jones gave the home side a 13-point buffer at three-quarter time, 12.8 to 10.7.

The Power skipped 19 points clear when Georgiades slotted his second early in the final term, but the Kangaroos again threatened.

The Roos scored two goals in two minutes to sneak within seven points, but couldn't get any closer.

Veteran marks milestone in style

It was just his seventh game for the Kangaroos, but Luke Parker brought up 300 AFL games on Saturday. The former Sydney star made his mark, too, finishing with 27 disposals, four tackles, three clearances and a goal as he celebrated his milestone game with a good performance, even if the Roos fell short of victory.

Scuffles break out to end third quarter

It was an unusual finish to the third term as the Roos looked to challenge Port. Former Roo Jason Horne-Francis gave away a costly off-the-ball free kick when the Power had the ball in defence, leading to a Luke Davies-Uniacke goal from the goal quare. Port would get an immediate response through Darcy Byrne-Jones, who took his chance after Luke McDonald gave away a costly 50m penalty just as North had closed to within a goal.

PORT ADELAIDE                  7.3     9.5     12.8     14.13 (97)  
NORTH MELBOURNE           2.4     7.5     10.7     13.10 (88)  

GOALS
Port Adelaide: Byrne-Jones 3, Richards 2, Lord 2, Georgiades 2, Rozee, Rioli, Powell-Pepper, Horne-Francis, Finlayson
North Melbourne: Curtis 3, Zurhaar 2, Xerri, Wardlaw, Powell, Parker, McKercher, Larkey, Davies-Uniacke, Darling

BEST
Port Adelaide: Butters, Rozee, Lord, Horne-Francis, Powell-Pepper, Drew
North Melbourne: Xerri, Sheezel, Curtis, Davies-Uniacke, Parker, Wardlaw 

INJURIES
Port Adelaide: Sinn (concussion)
North Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Jeremy Finlayson (replaced Josh Sinn in the second quarter)
North Melbourne: Zane Duursma (replaced Darcy Tucker in the fourth quarter)