First quarter: North Melbourne 4.4 (28) to Melbourne 2.0 (12)

In tough, windy conditions, North Melbourne hit the scoreboard first, via Jarrad Waite at the 13-minute mark.

Melbourne opened its account through Jeff Garlett, after he laid a great tackle and was rewarded with a free kick.

Moments later Jack Watts was instrumental in handing an easy second goal to Jeff Garlett. 

Neville Jetta showed remarkable courage – yet again – when he copped a significant knock in the face, following a contest with North big man Majak Daw. Jetta was helped from the ground, but incredibly returned shortly afterwards.

Ben Brown caused some damage late in the quarter, kicking two in a row to give North Melbourne a 16-point lead at the first break.

Second quarter: Melbourne 8.5 (53) to North Melbourne 6.4 (40)

Brown landed his third to start the second term and extend North Melbourne’s lead.  

But when Clayton Oliver and Jake Melksham kicked back-to-back goals for the Demons, the margin was cut to nine points.  

Jy Simpkin kicked North’s only other major for the term, as the pendulum swung Melbourne’s way.

Midway through the term, Melksham bobbed up with his second, and when goals followed from Jesse Hogan, Jayden Hunt and Tom McDonald, the Dees hit the front.

At half-time, Melbourne led by 13 points.

Third quarter: North Melbourne 9.8 (62) to Melbourne 8.8 (56)

Brown nailed his fourth major to open the second half, although it wasn’t until the eight-minute mark.

But when Luke McDonald kicked a huge goal and Scott Thompson followed up a couple of minutes later, the Kangaroos were back in front by five points.

North managed three for the term, as Melbourne failed to kick a goal.

The Demons managed just three behinds, as North Melbourne had seven scoring shots (3.4).

At the final change, North Melbourne led by a goal.

Final quarter: North Melbourne 11.10 (76) d Melbourne 10.12 (72)

Melbourne got the start it wanted in the last term, when Garlett kicked truly to level the scores.

Shaun Higgins put the Roos back in front when he answered a minute later.

Melbourne’s only other major for the match came via Tom McDonald, who put the Demons in front by one-point at the 14-minute mark.

But when Simpkin snagged his second for the day, the Roos reclaimed the lead and held on for a four-point victory.

It resulted in North Melbourne’s 17^th consecutive win over Melbourne.