North has failed to continue its red-hot Good Friday form, falling short in Saturday’s clash against Melbourne.

In just their third outing on the MCG in the past two years, the Roos started strongly, kicking the opening four goals of the match, but couldn’t hold off an in-form Melbourne side which took control of the game for much of the second half.

Ben Cunnington (25 possessions and two goals) led the way for North, and was well supported through the midfield by Shaun Higgins (23) and Trent Dumont (23).

Ben Brown (four goals) was again a leading light in North's forward line, taking full advantage of his height and strength edge on opponent Oscar McDonald, while Luke McDonald (21 possessions and eight marks) provided stiff resistance in defence and Ben Jacobs did well to hold star Demons midfield Clayton Oliver to 20 possessions.

Majak Daw, a late replacement for Robbie Tarrant, starred early for North in defence.

MEDICAL ROOM

Melbourne: Jake Melksham copped an accidental knee to the head when North skipper Jack Ziebell leapt to gather a loose ball deep in the Dees' forward line late in the third term. Melksham came from the ground under his own steam and returned to the game soon after with his neck bandaged. Bernie Vince came from the ground late in the game with an apparent groin injury.

North Melbourne: The Roos lost Robbie Tarrant before the game, with the vice-captain a late withdrawal with hamstring soreness. He was replaced by Majak Daw.

NEXT UP

The Demons have an eight-day break before taking on Hawthorn at the MCG next Sunday, having won just one of their previous 15 games against the Hawks. The Roos host Carlton in Hobart next Saturday night. The Blues will be playing at Blundstone Arena for the first time, a venue where North has compiled a strong 11-4 win-loss record since 2012.

MELBOURNE                 3.2 9.7 12.13 18.15 (123)
NORTH MELBOURNE    5.3 8.4 10.6    13.8 (86)

GOALS
Melbourne: Bugg 4, Kent, Garlett 3, Oliver 2, Hogan, Petracca, Vince, Fritsch, Lewis, Jones
North Melbourne: Brown 4, Waite 3, Cunnington 2, Goldstein, Hartung, Simpkin, Ziebell

BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Hogan, Petracca, Lewis, Salem, Kent
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Brown, Higgins, McDonald, Dumont

INJURIES
Melbourne: Melksham (cut head), Vince (groin)|
North Melbourne: Tarrant (hamstring) late withdrawal, replaced in the selected side by Daw.

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Nicholls, Fleer, Mollison
Official crowd: 35,518 at the MCG