The Kangaroos took a two-point lead into the last quarter, but West Coast fought back to win 13.14 (92) to 13.10 (88).
Two ruckmen, North's Todd Goldstein and Eagle Nic Naitanui, were late withdrawals, leaving the Roos without a recognised big man and with 193cm first-gamer Cameron Pedersen having to shoulder much of the ruck burden against Dean Cox.
Pedersen was brave, but Cox was magnificent in a best-on-ground performance that confirmed his return to peak fitness after two injury-scarred seasons.
Temperatures peaked at 34 degrees in Perth on Sunday, and the final match of the opening got under way with the mercury nudging 29 degrees.
North Melbourne was celebrating 150-game milestones for Daniel Wells and Michael Firrito, and Brad Scott's men made the brighter start, kicking the opening three goals.
Despite missing important key defender Nathan Grima (back), the Kangaroos were controlling the early aerial battles in their backline, with Robbie Tarrant impressive all day opposed to Josh Kennedy.
Andrew Swallow was a star in the midfield for the Kangaroos, while Lindsay Thomas booted four goals. But their efforts were not enough, despite West Coast being down to 20 fit men.
West Coast 3.7 6.10 9.12 13.14 (92)
North Melbourne 4.3 6.5 10.8 13.10 (88)
GOALS
West Coast: LeCras, Darling, Cox, Nicoski 2, Priddis, Ebert, Embley, Kennedy, Shuey
North Melbourne: Thomas 4, Edwards 3, Adams 2, Harvey, Hansen, Anthony, Wells
BEST
West Coast: Cox, Embley, Adam Selwood, Priddis, Shuey, Darling, Nicoski
North Melbourne: Swallow, Thomas, Adams, Firrito, Pedersen, Tarrant
INJURIES
West Coast: Masten (knee), LeCras (groin), Nic Naitanui (shoulder) replaced in selected side by Nicoski, Patrick McGinnity (foot) replaced in selected side by Gaff
North Melbourne: Goldstein (illness) replaced in selected side by Ben Warren
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Margetts, Dalgleish, Schmitt
Official crowd: 35,878 at Patersons Stadium
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
