Kangaroos skipper Andrew Swallow was all smiles before training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
THE most unfortunate team in the AFL this season has a few "little tactics" to get it over the line against Port Adelaide in Hobart today - if the game turns into another heart-stopper.
North Melbourne has a 1-4 win-loss ratio, while Port is unbeaten.
Two of the Kangaroos' four defeats were by three and four points.
They almost toppled Hawthorn at the MCG last Sunday after dominating the clearances - especially from stoppages - hit-outs, inside 50s and contested possessions. But North fell three points short.
After training at Bellerive Oval yesterday, skipper Andrew Swallow said the players were prepared for a tight clash.
"There are a couple of little tactics we think we can employ, because we have been in quite a few close games," he said.
"We missed a couple of easy shots against Hawthorn last weekend, and they are things you can't plan for.
"But if we get down to the wire, we'll have a few little things up our sleeve and hopefully we can implement them."
Port's amazing form reversal continued last week when it overcame a 41-point deficit to defeat West Coast by five points at AAMI Stadium.
North is wary of Port's run.
"We've got to make sure we shut down some of their outlets," Swallow said.
"Their half-forwards like to push high up the ground, and they really like to switch the ball, so we've really got to try and shut that down.
"It's something we've spoken about and we've got a few things in place to try and counter that."
Port's midfield has been electric, led by Kane Cornes, who has 61 touches in his past two games, Hamish Hartlett (52), Travis Boak (50) and Ollie Wines (47).
"They've been super," Swallow said. "They've got a couple of their old-timers in Cornes and (Domenic) Cassisi, who are in great form.
"Ollie Wines has come in there as a new guy, so their midfield is starting to look really deep.
"We've got to match it, and we're confident we've got the players who can do it.
"This is another test and we've had five tough games, so we're getting used to having good opposition week-in, week-out."
Should North lose today, it would be the club's worst start to a season since 1972.
"The boys are still pretty vibrant," Swallow said.
"It's been disappointing to lose a couple of close ones when we were in the game, but we know the reasons for it and we've just got to try and put in a four-quarter performance out there.
"It's a great opportunity to come down here and try to get our second win on the board and hopefully get our season back on track."
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