Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says looking at the AFL ladder is futile ahead of his club’s danger game against lowly North Melbourne.

While Port sit in fourth spot and the Roos languish in 17th, Hinkley says the ladder positions are irrelevant entering Saturday’s Adelaide Oval fixture.

“The competition is so close, so even, they (North) could have a little bit of luck go their way and they could be in a fair different position than they are now,” Hinkley told reporters on Friday.