MELBOURNE'S winless and disappointing start to the 2008 season has continued at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, with North Melbourne producing an emphatic 48-point victory.

The Demons 11.13 (79) went down to the Kangaroos 18.19 (127), which means Melbourne has now lost its opening four rounds by a combined total of 277 points.

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey would have been disappointed with the side's lack of sustained competitiveness against the Roos after his team made significant headway last Sunday with a gutsy effort against reigning premiers and ladder leaders Geelong.

But the Demons made too many skill errors and poor decisions and although the Kangaroos fluffed plenty of opportunities in front goal, they were far superior over the four quarters.

Adding to another frustrating day for Melbourne, key forward Brad Miller had his number taken in the first quarter for charging.

But the day belonged to North Melbourne. The Kangaroos dominated from the word go, booting seven of the opening eight goals of the match, which proved the catalyst in the overall result.

Brent Harvey (26 disposals) shone for North Melbourne, as its forwards had a day out, with Nathan Thompson (five goals), Aaron Edwards, Lindsay Thomas, Matt Campbell and Corey Jones combined for 15 goals.

The only sour point for the Roos was a potentially serious knee injury to Josh Gibson.

There were few bright sparks for Melbourne, although the efforts of Aaron Davey could not be questioned. After starting the match up forward, Davey spent much of his time in the midfield and displayed his best football for the year - particularly before half-time.

His zip and intent to take the game on was a pleasing aspect for the red and blue.

Brad Green also won a game-high 28 disposals and James McDonald gave his all.

Although the Roos dominated the opening term, the term was hardly one for the archives.

The quarter was riddled with skill errors and had the Roos not squandered several opportunities in front of goal - eight of their 12 scoring shots were behinds - the Demons could have trailed by 10 goals heading into the first break.

Still, the Roos led by 26 points at quarter-time after they landed the first of their four goals at the 19-minute mark, courtesy of a snap under pressure from Lindsay Thomas.

And it wasn't until Lynden Dunn, who started the match in the middle on Daniel Harris, pushed forward to convert Melbourne's first goal - and score for the term - at the 27-minute mark. His effort came after a solid one-on-one mark in front of Shannon Watt.

The Demons continued to struggle for much of the second term and when Corey Jones jagged his second in a row at the 18-minute mark, the Roos led by 45 points. At that point, it was a case of how far North Melbourne?

Yet Melbourne lifted its intensity in red-time and when Brock McLean and Jeff White kicked truly, the deficit was reduced to five goals. But when Nathan Thompson opened his account just before half time, the Roos were back out to a 35-point lead.

Davey was among the action when he opened the second half with lovely goal on the run, giving his side a faint sniff. 

But any thought of comeback was quickly thwarted when the 29-point margin was blown back out to 53 points at three quarter-time, when North Melbourne booted five of the remaining six goals for the term.

Although Melbourne gave a better account for itself and displayed some fight in the final term - booting six goals to five - it was far too late.

North Melbourne 4.8 8.11 13.15 18.19 (127)

Melbourne 1.0 3.6 5.10 11.13 (79)

GOALS

North Melbourne: N.Thompson 5, Edwards 3, Thomas 3, Campbell 2, Jones 2, Grant, Harvey, Je.Smith

Melbourne:  Robertson 3, Wonaeamirri 2, Davey, Dunn, Jamar, McLean, Wheatley, White

BEST

North Melbourne: Harvey, Wells, Rawlings, N.Thompson, Edwards, Power, Campbell, Firrito

Melbourne: Davey, McDonald, Green

INJURIES

North Melbourne: Gibson (knee)
Melbourne: Nil

CHANGES 

North Melbourne: Nil

Melbourne: Nil

REPORTS

North Melbourne: Nil

Melbourne: Miller (charging)

Umpires: Farmer, Armstrong, McInerney

Crowd: 23,427 at the MCG

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs of the AFL.