A North Melbourne side containing seven players with less than ten games' experience fell to Essendon by 27 points on Saturday. 

There were 13 lead changes throughout the day, before Bombers' key forward Cale Hooker exploded with four goals in the final term as Essendon made up for a sluggish start with a strong finish.

The inexperienced Kangaroos were admirable in defeat, but the result condemned them to a seventh successive loss in a season for the first time since 1984.

The Roos – already missing several experienced players including banged-up skipper Jack Ziebell, who was rested, and omitted ruckman Todd Goldstein – took another serious hit pre-game when star defender Robbie Tarrant was withdrawn after suffering a back injury during the warm-up. He was replaced by Josh Williams. 

In Tarrant's absence, Scott Thompson did an admirable job on the in-form Daniher, restricting the big Bomber to just 2.1.

Jarrad Waite (four) was terrific on his return from a calf injury and Ben Brown (also an equal personal-best effort of six goals) handed Michael Hurley one of his few beatings this year to join the Coleman Medal leaders, Swans superstar Lance Franklin and Bomber Joe Daniher, with 47 goals for the year.

Brad Scott was naturally proud of his team's performance against the odds, but was still disappointed about the result.

"I was absolutely rapt with the effort and the urgency, and I was really proud of the guys," Scott said.

"To give ourselves a really good chance to win today under the circumstances was terrific. We learnt a lot about a lot of players and it's all positive."

An upset loss would have dealt a savage blow to the Bombers' finals hopes, and it looked possible for much of the afternoon.

Essendon's kicking skills were off early and North rattled on three of the first four goals to lead by 15 points midway through the first term.

The Roos should have led by more than two points at half-time, considering they were dominating the inside 50s (35-23), uncontested marks (62-17), disposals (214-178) and uncontested possession (134-107).

Essendon came out harder after half-time and snared three quick goals to lead by 15 points midway through the third quarter before North responded with three in three minutes to reduce the margin to a point.

The Bombers then piled on eight of the next nine goals to lead by as much as 34 points to cruise to victory.

North runners Trent Dumont (28 and a goal), Sam Gibson (28 and a goal), acting captain Shaun Higgins and (23) and Luke McDonald (22) were prominent in a brave North Melbourne performance, while Williams had an impact on debut, including kicking a goal with his first kick. 

Goldstein's omission cleared the way for Majak Daw to lead North's ruck division and the athletic big man had a good duel with Tom Bellchambers, both amassing 34 hit-outs and providing some telling tap work.

More to come...

ESSENDON 4.2 8.3 13.8 20.12 (132)
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.4 8.5 12.7 16.9 (105) 

GOALS
Essendon: Hooker 5, Fantasia 4, McDonald-Tipungwuti 3, Stewart 2, Daniher 2, Heppell 2, Parish, Zaharakis
North Melbourne: Brown 6, Waite 4, Williams, Garner, Mullet, Gibson, Dumont, Swallow 

BEST 
Essendon: Merrett, Watson, Hooker, Heppell, Fantasia, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Goddard
North Melbourne: Higgins, Garner, Dumont, McDonald, Brown, Waite 

INJURIES 
Essendon: Martin Gleeson (left elbow)
North Melbourne: Robbie Tarrant (back) replaced in selected side by Josh Williams

Reports: Nil 
Umpires: Fisher, Fleer, Pannell 
Official crowd: 40,359 at Etihad Stadium