The Kangaroos started ominously, booting the first three goals.
After trailing by 18 points, Melbourne hit back midway during the quarter, when it opened its account via Chris Dawes and booted four of the next five goals.
At quarter-time, the scores were level after the red and blue’s comeback.
Second quarter: Melbourne 8.5 (53) to North Melbourne 8.5 (53)
The second quarter was a tale of two halves.
Melbourne kicked three of the first four goals of the term – including three in a row – to claim a 13-point lead. Lynden Dunn, Mark Jamar and Dean Kent were the goalscorers.
But the Roos answered with three of the next four goals to level the scores once again at the main break. Jack Fitzpatrick was Melbourne’s only other goalkicker for the quarter, when he booted his second at the 27-minute mark.
Third quarter: North Melbourne 13.9 (87) to Melbourne 9.7 (61)
After an entertaining and tight first half, North Melbourne took control in the third term, booting five goals to one.
The Kangaroos booted the first four goals before Dom Tyson kicked Melbourne’s only major for the quarter – at the 25-minute mark.
Entering the final stanza, Melbourne trailed by 26 points.
Final quarter: North Melbourne 19.9 (123) d Melbourne 14.9 (93)
The Demons needed to start strongly in the final term, but when the Kangaroos booted the first two goals in the opening two minutes, the Dees trailed by 38 points and the game was all but over.
Still, Melbourne managed to show some fight, booting five goals for the term, including two to Tom McDonald – his first majors in the AFL. Kent, who set up both McDonald goals with beautiful passes from the pocket, also added two for the term to finish with three for the match.
In the end, the Roos booted six goals, running out 30 point winners.
