Power skipper out but Larkey on deck

PORT Adelaide captain Tom Jonas has been ruled out of Saturday’s match against North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena with Covid, but North Melbourne’s gun forward Nick Larkey is back and looking to make a statement against the inform Power.

Returning from suspension, Larky will offset the loss of key defender Ben McKay to a knee injury for at least one match allowing utility tall Josh Walker to plug the hole down back.

With a 1-7 win-loss ratio, Larkey says North Melbourne is close to turning the corner.

“We’ve gone to work this week putting new things in place to affirm the game plan and we’re looking forward to taking it on, and we’ll go in with a winner’s attitude for sure,” Larky said.

“We’re upbeat because we’ve taken the positives wherever we can. We’re not in the position we want to be in but we are all working toward that.

“We want more wins but we’re chasing the process and that’s what we have to do, take the small wins, otherwise it would be a really down place to be.

“There are a few little things that can make a big difference in our game and if we get those right it can turn quickly.”

North Melbourne’s Tasmanian coach David Noble copped blowback for a post-match spray he game the team after a round three drubbing, but the Kangas had it coming.

“We deserved a baking after a 100-point loss, and we responded, which was good,” Larkey said.

As well as McKay, North Melbourne lost young star Jason Horne-Francis (hamstring) and Tasmanian midfielder Hugh Greenwood (Covid).

It makes the Kangaroos’ task even tougher to combat a powerful Port Adelaide midfield, led by seasoned veteran Travis Boak and Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines, who will be captain in the absence of Jonas. In Port’s first game in Hobart since Hinkley came to Power 10 years ago, the Port boss is wary of the Kangaroos. “That’s what AFL footy is, everyone thinks you come up against a team and you’re just going to win but we all know you’ve got to respect everyone, particularly when teams have their back to the wall like we did earlier in the year” he said.

Port will shuffle the magnets to account for the loss of Jonas.

“It’s a big loss and a big piece of our team missing, but as we’ve done all year you’ve just got to be ready for it and handle it the best you can.” james.bresnehan@news.com.au