The last time North Melbourne played on their home ground – less than a month ago – they were on top of the ladder, and could easily have beaten three-time reigning premiers Hawthorn. On Saturday they departed Etihad Stadium in eighth spot, having lost five straight games, defeated convincingly by the team in ninth, and looking the most likely of the top eight sides to miss the finals.

Things are looking nasty at Arden Street.

Just as it had against the Hawks four weeks ago, inaccuracy cost North badly. With 3.8 on the board to half-time, things somehow got worse in the third quarter for the Roos, as they doubled Port's inside 50 count only to kick 2.9, frittering away any hopes of a resistance.

And while Brent Harvey will enter his record-equalling match next week on the back of a strong showing, fellow veterans Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie and Daniel Wells all had dirty days. Their futures at this level are getting very cloudy. Meanwhile, Port Adelaide again have a glimmer of hope, but they also have fresh concerns over key forward Charlie Dixon, who made an early exit from the game, once more troubled by his ankle, which coach Ken Hinkley later said was rolled.

Things started in ominous fashion for the Roos as Chad Wingard banged Port forward, where Michael Firrito handballed the ball over the goal line while being tackled by Jay Schulz. But in a decision that infuriated the Roos' faithful, Firrito was pinged, and Schulz goaled from the square. Former Fremantle coach Chris Connolly questioned on ABC radio whether it was the worst umpiring decision of the year.

North had plenty of the play in the first half, but the scoreboard afforded them little reward. Port had just one more inside 50 than the Roos in the opening quarter, but where North kicked 0.5, the Power slammed on 6.3. It was perhaps best evidenced by a moment midway through the quarter, as Jed Anderson's dribbled shot at goal hit the post, only for Port to charge forward, where Schulz slotted his second.

Lindsay Thomas had plenty of chances, even winning a free kick for – you guessed it – high contact. But while the goalsneak finally kicked his side's first goal early in the second term, it was the only opportunity he took in the first half, as he kicked 1.3 prior to the break as well as spilling a chest mark.

Port were deadly on the rebound and had the handful of best players on the ground too. Justin Westhoff played the quarter of his life, with 13 disposals, five contested possessions and two goals to the first change. The ruck loomed pre-game as an areas which North could wield some advantage. But Jackson Trengove thrashed Todd Goldstein early, winning nine possessions and four clearances.

Wingard ran amok. He had 14 touches prior to half-time, as well as three inside 50s and two goals. His most eye-catching involvement came midway through the second quarter, as he shrugged off a tackle from North's Corey Wagner, gained possession with his feet outside the field of play, and sent the ball to the goal square, where 50-gamer Jake Neade popped it through.

Try as they might, North couldn't generate any real momentum, failing to kick consecutive majors until close to time on in the third quarter.

There was some promise after half-time as Wells sent it long to Waite, who was held in a marking contest, but he couldn't convert. Port again went to end-to-end, where Westhoff was unmarked. He goaled, and a big final margin loomed. To their credit, the Roos' spirit had not been zapped. An increasingly functional midfield provided plenty of ball for the North forwards. But aside from the impressive Ben Brown, the Roos' kicking for goal was ghastly, with Waite and Petrie prime offenders. Port's three third-term majors without a blemish – including a brilliant snap from captain Travis Boak – were as deflating as goals come. Harvey crumbed Goldstein's tap beautifully to start the final term, but Port got the next through Robbie Gray. There was no coming back for North on Saturday, and you'd be game to think they could come back this year.

VOTES

C. Wingard (Port Adelaide) 8

J. Trengove (Port Adelaide) 8

J. Westhoff (Port Adelaide) 7

T. Boak (Port Adelaide) 7

B. Brown (North Melbourne) 6