Headed North: the Kangaroos turn in a commanding performance to open their 2026 account

Inspired performances from Luke Parker, Dylan Stephens and Harry Sheezel have eased some of the mounting pressure on master coach Alastair Clarkson.

Stephens and Sheezel combined for 60 disposals and 17 score involvements, and were catalysts for a commanding performance - the likes of which have been few and far between under Clarkson's tutelage. 

Newly minted skipper Nick Larkey contributed four goals, while medium forwards Cooper Trembath and Cameron Zurhaar combined for a further five majors. In all, the Roos had 11 individual goal scorers, in a pleasing return.

For Port Adelaide, Zak Butters was characteristically influential around the ball, registering 10 clearances, but he lacked a supporting cast and ultimately North Melbourne were too strong at the source. The Roos were +10 in clearances, +21 in contested possessions, +80 for total disposals, +7 for tackles and +44 for marks than their favoured opponents, teaching the Power a total footballing lesson.

The result will please power brokers at Arden St, with boardroom rumblings and a general air of impatience characterising proceedings for the faltering club of late, evidenced by Friday's press conference. 

New Power coach Josh Carr did not shy away from a myriad of flaws that the performance highlighted in his side's game.

"After quarter-time, we were really disappointing around the footy," Carr said.

"When they got it inside their 50, they were really strong in the air, and we couldn't control that.

"Our connection inside 50 looked a little bit stagnant at times, and we lacked a bit of method with it. We know that that we've got work (to do)."

Carr praised the way the Kangaroos started the match, alluding to their uncontested marking chains that made it difficult for his side to win the ball back.

"They had 40 uncontested marks (in the first quarter), and it (sic) wasn't just chipping it around - they actually hit the corridor and moved it fast," he said.

"I thought our tackling was really disappointing. We'd get our hands on them, and weren't able to close it out.

"There's plenty of room for improvement for us."

The two sides both play sides predicted to be in their realm of the ladder next week, with the Power facing the Bombers and the Kangaroos renewing hostilities with the West Coast Eagles.