Roos make statement… so is this a ‘turning point’?; former Pick 1 cops brutal treatment — 3-2-1

North Melbourne has given its fans plenty of optimism for 2026 after a thumping 46-point win over Port Adelaide to open its season.

The Kangaroos kicked three quick goals just before half-time and didn’t look back as they blew out the Power, 17.11 (113) to 9.13 (67), in Josh Carr’s first game as coach for the visitors.

Nick Larkey booted a game-high four goals and Dylan Stephens (29 disposals, one goal) and Harry Sheezel (31 touches) enjoyed big performances in the midfield for Alastair Clarkson’s side.

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It was the perfect start to North’s campaign as it looks to finally make inroads up the ladder in year four under Clarkson following six-straight bottom three finishes.

Multiple false dawns over the last six seasons would understandably make Kangaroos fans reluctant to get carried away by one good performance.

And that’s understandable considering North have now won just 21 of their last 131 games, but their first outing for 2026 was extremely impressive.

A six-goal blast, powered by centre-clearance superiority, that spanned the middle two quarters put the game to bed and catapulted the hosts to a 41-point lead early in the third term.

North moved the ball on at all costs with electric speed, while the stagnant Power were prepared to just sit back, and as a result the visitors were sitting ducks.

The Kangaroos midfield got right on top and helped North smash the visitors for disposals (369-287) and contested possessions (132-111) to blow sluggish Port Adelaide off the park and career to the 17.11 (113) to 9.13 (67) win. At one stage they led the clearances 31-17.

Too often the Power were disorganised in defence, and that played into the hosts’ hands as North’s forward pressure yielded positive results too. Early in the final quarter Port Adelaide had registered 19 missed tackles, to North’s seven.

Port Adelaide gave the Kangaroos a nervous moment when they strung together three goals in a row to get back within 25 points in the final term. In previous seasons, North Melbourne might have panicked and buckled in that situation, but perhaps most pleasing of all for Clarkson was that they responded to that challenge with the last four goals to shut the gate.

And it’s a concerning start to the Power’s season, which was further sounded by an ankle injury to Todd Marshall that prematurely ended his day at Marvel Stadium.

The 3-2-1 … (what we learned)

3. ROOS MAKE STATEMENT… SO IS THIS A ‘TURNING POINT’?

There hasn’t been many fan bases as patient as North Melbourne’s in what’s been a tough slog in recent years.

But on Sunday Roos fans were given plenty to cheer about and reason to be optimistic this might be their best season in some time.

The Roos never looked back after their blitz to end the first half, playing with an added level of confidence as if something clicked.

On top of how the team played as a collective, there was so much to like from individuals across the board.

Dylan Stephens (29 deposals, 11 marks) played “undoubtably” his best game for the club, according to Tigers great Jack Riewoldt, while Harry Sheezel (31 touches) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (23) did their thing in the midfield.

Luke Parker (24 touches, nine goal, eight marks) starred in a new role across half back.

New skipper Nick Larkey kicked four goals in his first game leading the club with strong support from youngster Cooper Trembath (three goals).

They just looked a different outfit.

“‘Clarko’ would be over the moon, he looked a little nervous before the game, as you would be coming into a brand new season,” Cats legend Cameron Mooney said.

“He spoke about expectations is they want to play finals over the next year or two … he’d be rapt.”

So after six-straight bottom six finishes and and only six wins over those last painful six years, could this be a turning point?

While we’re not getting too carried away about a win over Port Adelaide, who many tip to slide in 2026, upcoming fixtures against West Coast, Essendon, and Carlton give the Roos a great opportunity to start their season strong.

“Maybe this is the turning point. We’ve mentioned they have a pretty good draw coming up over the next five weeks,” Riewoldt said.

“Could this be the change where they do set up Alastair Clarkson? He put it on the agenda pre-game he expects them to play finals in the next two years.

“Who knows, maybe this is the first step in a finals direction for this footy club, that hasn’t played finals for nine years.”

2. ‘TELLS THE STORY’: JFH COPS IT FROM NORTH FAITHFUL

Oh, and you sense the win would’ve been extra satisfying against former Roo Jason Horne-Francis, who was mercilessly booed every time he touched the ball in his first game against his former side in Melbourne.

After four years, Kangaroos fans finally had their chance to boo former No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis who departed Arden Street after just one season in 2022.

And they made up for lost time as they let Horne-Francis know what they thought of him every time he got the ball.

It was most stark when Horne-Francis was booed while lining up for goal in the third quarter before his miss across the face was met with bronx cheers.

“The cheer tells the story better than I can,” Fox Footy caller Dwayne Russell said.

Horne-Francis only had 12 touches and was well held by Toby Pink.

The first three meetings between the two clubs since Horne-Francis’ defection occurred at Bellerive Oval (twice) and Adelaide Oval.

1. INJURY TO PORT KEY FURTHER SOURS LOSS

Compounding the result for the Power was the sight of Todd Marshall hobbling from the ground in the last quarter with an apparent lower leg injury in what was his first game back after missing all of last year with an Achilles injury.

Marshall, playing his first game in 550 days, got his foot caught under a contest in the fourth quarter and appeared to hurt his ankle as Nick Larkey drew a free kick from point blank range.

A wincing Marshall the had to man the mark as Larkey put through his fourth goal and continues the Roos domination.

Talk about adding insult to injury.

The Port forward-turned-defender immediately hobbled from the field afterwards in worrying scenes for the Power.

He was shown with ice on the area on the bench later in the term to signal his day was done.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t sideline the 27-year old for too long.

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