Greater Western Sydney won an Anzac Appeal Round thriller, beating North Melbourne by seven points in Canberra on Sunday.

The Kangaroos never ceded ground at Corroboree Group Oval and kept coming in the last quarter, falling short 15.15 (108) to 14.14 (98).

GIANTS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Skipper Nick Larkey kicked four for North Melbourne, while ruck Tristan Xerri (25 disposals, 12 tackles, 24 hitouts, 10 clearances) was among the most influential Roos in his return from suspension.

Harry Sheezel had 32 disposals despite playing in a glove after having minor finger surgery during the week, while Caleb Daniel (30 disposals) was also prolific.

The Kangaroos had their chances to win the game, and the final margin could have been narrower if not for a goal paid to Giant Xavier O'Halloran in the tense final quarter, when Roo defender Griffin Logue appeared to get a fingertip to the ball.

Wearing their first ever Anzac guernsey, the Kangaroos started the game brightly, answering Giant Leek Aleer's opener with three consecutive goals as they shot out to a 19-point lead in the first quarter. 

George Wardlaw's intelligent crumb was the best of the three, while recruit Charlie Spargo earned a goal with a chasedown tackle on veteran Lachie Whitfield.

Two quick goals to Giant spearhead Jesse Hogan trimmed the Roos' lead to seven points at the first break, after which GWS emerged revitalised. 

The Giants hit the front early in the second term and looked likely to expand their lead, but North Melbourne skipper Larkey had other ideas. 

The big forward created one goal for first-year forward Lachy Dovaston before kicking his own third goal to level the scores at half-time.

With scores again level early in the fourth quarter, veteran forwards Toby Greene and Jake Stringer grabbed crucial goals to lay the platform for a GWS victory. 

North threatened a boilover when Harry Sheezel and young gun Finn O'Sullivan kicked majors to thrust their team within a goal of the home side, but it was not to be.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 3.2    7.7   10.10   15.15 (105)
NORTH MELBOURNE               4.3    7.7    9.10    14.14 (98)

GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Cadman 3, Stringer 3, Greene 2, Hogan 2, Aleer, Daniels, Gothard, O'Halloran, Thomas
North Melbourne: Larkey 4, Curtis 2, Darling, Dovaston, O'Sullivan, Parker, Sheezel, Simpkin, Spargo, Wardlaw

BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Greene, Ash, Daniels, Oliver, Angwin
North Melbourne: Xerri, Parker, O’Sullivan, Sheezel, Larkey

LATE CHANGES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
North Melbourne: Charlie Comben (illness) replaced in selected side by Toby Pink