Collingwood won a seesawing thriller by four points as the Kangaroos suffered heartbreak on their return to Friday night footy.

North Melbourne led for much of the final quarter at Marvel Stadium having overhauled a 17-point deficit in the third term, but could not cling on and the Magpies won 13.11 (89) to 12.13 (85).

MAGPIES v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The Roos will rue a string of missed chances to extend their margin in a breathless final term. 

Nick Daicos kicked a goal after North had hit the lead at the start of the final term, wrestling momentum back after it looked like the Roos were going to run away.

Crisp, who had a relatively quiet night, kicked one of his own, before Josh Daicos, who was arguably best on ground, took an important contested mark as North looked to attack.

Tim Membrey kicked the sealer, and a Steele Sidebottom tackle stopped what would have been a dangerous foray forward by the Roos with seconds remaining.

But North Melbourne will not have lost any admirers after showing the footy world it can handle the prime time slot and a big crowd.

Captain Nick Larkey recovered from a horror start to the game to kick three goals, including two critical late shots as his side pressed for the win.

The Kangaroos were led by Paul Curtis (three goals), who returned to the side following a three-match suspension, and former captain Jy Simpkin (32 disposals), who wound back the clock with an excellent performance in the midfield filling the vacant spot left by George Wardlaw, who injured his hamstring last week.

The Kangaroos should perhaps have been in front by half-time but squandered some opportunities and found themselves trailing by five points.

Larkey found himself squarely in the spotlight right from the opening ball-up.

The skipper hit both posts from close range and kicked a third behind, all in the first 15 minutes, before finally getting on the board by converting a set shot from 25m.

When the Roos were able to rebound from half-back they were dangerous, with Curtis and Cooper Trembath the beneficiaries as the sides went goal for goal. 

Second-quarter chaos

Both sides were left a player down in the second half after injuries to North defender Tom Blamires and Collingwood livewire forward Lachie Schultz. Blamires was taken from the ground after hitting his head on the turf in a tackle, whilst Schultz injured his ankle in a contest. Schultz came out and tried to warm up his injured foot, but it didn’t take long for the Pies' medical team to rule him out. 

Next Up

The opponents don't get easier as the Kangaroos remain at Marvel Stadium in Round 19. They will host the high-flying Demons next Saturday in what shapes as another test of the Roos' ability to match it with top teams. The opening ball-up will be at 4.15pm AEST. 

COLLINGWOOD            4.4   7.5  10.7  13.11 (89)
NORTH MELBOURNE    3.4   6.6  9.10  12.13 (85)

GOALS
Collingwood: McStay 3, Lipinski 2, Membrey 2, Cameron, Crisp, N.Daicos, Pendlebury, Schultz, Swadling
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Curtis 3, Banch, Darling, Hardeman, Spargo, Trembath, Xerri

BEST
Collingwood: J.Daicos, N.Daicos, McStay, Lipinski, De Goey
North Melbourne: Simpkin, Sheezel, Xerri, Zurhaar, Curtis

INJURIES
Collingwood: Lachie Schultz (ankle)
North Melbourne: Tom Blamires (concussion)

Crowd: 48,369 at Marvel Stadium