A GRITTY North Melbourne has continued an 11-year winning streak over Melbourne, sensationally upsetting the Demons by four points in Hobart.
The second-last Roos adapted better to a blustery Blundstone Arena, holding on for an 11.10 (76) to 10.12 (72) victory.
It's a significant blow to the Demons' top-four chances in a tight top eight.
Their woes were compounded by the loss of key forward Jesse Hogan midway through the third quarter with a broken collarbone.
Hogan collided heavily with North Melbourne's Luke McDonald and took no further part in the game.
Ben Brown was the best forward on the ground and the Tasmanian booted four goals to be the difference between the two teams.
North Melbourne led by nine points heading into the final term but were expected to be run down by a Demons side with a huge breeze at their back.
But they scrapped, holding the Demons to just two goals.
Shaun Higgins topped the disposal count for North Melbourne with 28.
The Kangaroos also had injury issues, with Jarrad Waite leaving the field in the third quarter due to a calf complaint.
They have won 17-straight games against Melbourne, dating back to 2006.
MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: Jarrad Waite couldn't overcome a lower-leg injury during the third term and spent most of the second half in a tracksuit on the bench, indicating he may be out for some time. Coach Brad Scott wasn't able to elaborate on how long the veteran forward may be missing, but it seems likely the Roos will have to dig deeper into their list to replace him in the short-to-medium term.
Melbourne: Jesse Hogan's broken collarbone was the major concern for the Demons and while Simon Goodwin refused to rule him out for the season, the key forward's return in 2017 must surely be questionable at this point.
NEXT UP
The Kangaroos will be looking to claw their way further from the foot of the table when they take on Collingwood under lights at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Demons face a crunch contest on the road against GWS at UNSW Canberra Oval early on Saturday afternoon.
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.4 6.4 9.8 11.10 (76)
MELBOURNE 2.0 8.5 8.8 10.12 (72)
North Melbourne: Brown 4, Simpkin 2, Waite, Swallow, McDonald, Thompson, Higgins
Melbourne: Garlett 3, Melksham 2, T McDonald 2, Oliver, Hogan, Hunt
BEST
North Melbourne: Brown, Higgins, McDonald, Swallow, Ziebell
Melbourne: Oliver, Gawn, Lewis, Garlett, Tyson
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Waite (calf)
Melbourne: Hogan (collarbone)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Harris, Pannell
Official crowd: 13,939 at Blundstone Arena
