North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Preview & Prediction | 2026 AFL | Regular Season | Round 1

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North Melbourne and Port Adelaide get their 2026 seasons underway hoping to improve on what was a challenging year to say the least for both sides in 2025

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Some matches are televised on Fox Sports channels

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ & Watch AFL / USA – Watch AFL

The prediction

North Melbourne come into the new AFL campaign desperately hoping to show some improvement this time around after several years of poor results. They managed just five wins from their 23 matches last year and they will be desperate to improve on that.

Their young group of players do possess some talent and with Nick Larkey named as their new captain, they will be hoping to start the season well and pick up a positive result.

That will not be easy against Port Adelaide who will be fired up to do well under new coach Josh Carr. They have been handed a favourable run of matches to start the season and Carr will be demanding a fast start.

With the new man at the helm and a fresh voice to listen to, we think Port Adelaide can get off to a winning start against a motivated but inexperienced North Melbourne outfit.

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide tip: Port Adelaide to win