North Melbourne will be hoping to kickstart its 2026 season in winning fashion when it hosts Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

First-round draftee Lachy Dovaston and Supplemental Selection Period addition Tom Blamires will get their first taste at the highest level, with Nick Larkey set to lead his side into a home and away game for the first time since being named skipper in December last year.

Round 1, North Melbourne v Port Adelaide
When: Sunday, March 15 at 1.10pm AEDT
Where: Marvel Stadium, Docklands, VIC 
How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports

The opposition

The Power cruised through their AAMI Community Series contest, shrugging off an inexperienced West Coast to win by 73 points in Western Australia.

High-flying forward Mitch Georgiades looks primed for a strong campaign and will enter Round 1 fresh off a six-goal haul against the Eagles.

Zak Butters was another standout performer, booting two goals of his own from a game-high 36 disposals.

With Ken Hinkley’s tenure in the rearview mirror, Port Adelaide will be aiming to start life strongly under new head coach Josh Carr.

Injury update

Dashing defender Colby McKercher (finger) is available for Sunday’s game, while fellow backman Riley Hardeman (ankle) will face a fitness test before the squad is decided on.

Veteran Luke McDonald is a chance of featuring against the Power despite missing both pre-season games against Melbourne and Collingwood due to a wrist injury.

A concussion in a VFL practice match last weekend has ruled out recruit Charlie Spargo, while George Wardlaw (hamstring) is close to a return but unavailable for Round 1.

Keep an eye on

Lachy Dovaston

The crafty small forward will become Shinboner No.1077 this weekend when he runs out for his first AFL game.

Dovaston heads into Round 1 full of confidence after an eye-catching pre-season. He kicked three goals in a single quarter during North Melbourne’s intraclub match before booting three more in the AAMI Community Series bout with Collingwood.

With the skill and smarts to get fans out of their seats, keep an eye on ‘Dovva’ as the first-round pick makes his highly anticipated debut.

… and Tom Blamires

In January, Blamires was working in Collingwood's commercial department. Now, the Frankston Dolphins product is set to line up in Alastair Clarkson’s Round 1 side to face the Power.

He was a standout off the half-backline in the Kangaroos’ AAMI Community Series clash against the Magpies, gaining 24 touches to stamp his claim for a debut in his new club’s season opener.

Watch for the young defender's drive out of defence and clean ball use under the Marvel Stadium roof on Sunday afternoon.

Last time we met

The Roos fell agonisingly short against the Power, going down by nine points in a heated affair at Adelaide Oval in Round 7, 2025.

A 29-point quarter-time deficit was gradually eroded by the visitors following the first break, led by 300-gamer Luke Parker and ruckman Tristan Xerri, who finished the match with 39 hitouts, 23 disposals, seven clearances and a goal.

A goal to star Luke Davies-Uniacke in the third quarter narrowed the gap to just six points, but that was as close as the margin got despite a tensely fought final term.

George Wardlaw’s goal was a highlight, the young midfielder slotting an almost-impossible snap from the pocket in the fourth quarter.