The Dees were chasing their fourth win in a row, but they let North out to a 42-point lead early in the third, and it ultimately proved to be too big a barrier, losing by 26 points, 15.14 (104) to 12.6 (78).
With the Roos leading by nearly eight goals after a five goal second quarter, the Dees hit back with in the premiership quarter to be just 14 points down at the last break, but couldn't go on with it.
The loss leaves both teams with a 3-3 record and sitting just outside the eight.
The Kangaroos - whose overall squad is younger than the Dees - would have been buoyed by the performance of Leigh Adams and Anthony, as both players were sensational in the middle of the ground, gathering 23 and 21 possessions respectively.
For the Demons, Cameron Bruce worked hard for his 32 possessions, while Brad Green was outstanding, finishing with four goals.
David Hale and Sam Wright also had great games for the Roos, finishing with three goals each.
It was North Melbourne which started the better, leading the tackle count 21-12 and clearances 13-6, as the Dees looked sluggish following their cracking 50-point win over the Brisbane Lions last week.
A spray from coach Dean Bailey at quarter-time seemed to fall on deaf ears, as a five goal to one second-quarter extended the margin to 34 points at the main break.
After the Roos kicked the first two goals in the third term, the Dees' fightback was brilliantly led by Green with three third-quarter goals.
With North Melbourne leading by just 14 points at three-quarter time, the Demons could not sustain their third-term momentum as early goals to Liam Anthony and David Hale ended any hopes of a Melbourne win.
Demons key forward Ricky Pettard left the field late in the match with a shoulder injury.
North Melbourne 3.3 8.7 10.12 15.14 (104)
Melbourne 2.1 3.3 9.4 12.6 (78)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Wright 3, Hale 3, Anthony 2, Wells 2, Swallow, Goldstein, Harvey, McIntosh, Warren
Melbourne: Green 4, Petterd 2, Bate, Dunn , Sylvia, Trengove, Jamar, Bartram
BEST
North Melbourne: Anthony, Adams, Wells, Wright, Firrito, Hale
Melbourne: Green, Bruce, Grimes, Dunn, Jones, James McDonald
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Melbourne: McKenzie (general soreness) replaced in the selected side by Rivers, Petterd (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Margetts, Keating
Official crowd: 26, 763 at Etihad Stadium
