Despite an improved second half, North Melbourne has lost to Gold Coast by 19 points in Gary Ablett's 300th game.

The fast-finishing Kangaroos nearly made it a nervous finish, but the Suns were able to hold on in the 18.10 (118) to 14.15 (99) result.

The Suns overcame a slow start where the Kangaroos kicked two early goals, with Tom Lynch booting two majors at the end of the opening quarter to give the hosts a 10-point lead.

A run of five unanswered goals in the second term blew that lead to 40 points, including Jack Martin's second classy right-foot snap from the left pocket of the match and a sensational soccer effort by Ainsworth.

North responded after the main break, reducing the 33-point half-time gap to 23 at the final turn before Jarrad Waite's fourth of the night brought the game within three goals.

Ben Brown picked up three majors while Luke McDonald was a ball magnet for the visitors with 31 disposals.

Suns co-captain Tom Lynch was the star of the show, bagging five goals, while Ablett was influential in the midfield in the win, finishing with 37 touches. 

GOLD COAST                 6.3   11.5   13.6   18.10   (118)
NORTH MELBOURNE    4.5    5.8    8.13   14.15    (99) 

GOALS
Gold Coast: Lynch 5, Ainsworth 4, Sexton 2, Martin 2, Swallow 2, Miller, Wright, Fiorini
North Melbourne: Waite 4, Brown 3, Daw, Clarke, Hrovat, Wood, Atley, Higgins, Mullett 

BEST 
Gold Coast: Lyons, Martin, Lynch, Swallow, Ablett, Ainsworth
North Melbourne: Waite, McDonald, Higgins, Swallow 

INJURIES 
Gold Coast: Hanley (hamstring)
North Melbourne: Williams (back) replaced in selection side by Thomas, Waite (calf) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Haussen, Hay, Ryan

Official crowd: 12,779 at Metricon Stadium