A FIVE-GOAL third term from Ben Brown has inspired North Melbourne to a 43-point win over an understrength Greater Western Sydney in Hobart.
Kept scoreless in Saturday afternoon's first half, Brown starred in the 'premiership quarter', as the Kangaroos powered home to a 17.10 (112) to 9.15 (69) victory.
HOMETOWN HERO SHINES Full match coverage and stats
The Tasmanian native, who extended his lead in the race for the Coleman Medal, was supported by a four-goal haul from veteran Jarrad Waite.
In a match that swung towards whoever had the breeze, North Melbourne opened up a 33-point lead heading into the last quarter.
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The Giants had the wind behind them in the final term at Blundstone Arena but couldn't track the Roos down.
The win backs up North Melbourne's strong showing last weekend against Richmond and strengthens its top-eight claims.
WATCH Big Ben bags five in one royal term
The Roos were stronger in the clearances, while Shaun Higgins finished with a game-high 28 touches.
"Players love coming down here and the conditions are quite often unique," Brad Scott said.
"GWS beat us pretty comprehensively, round three down here last year. It was good to be able to turn the tables."
Waite - who overcame a corked hip to play - was in the thick of the action early.
He kicked three goals for the opening quarter, as the Roos opened a 34-11 lead at the first break.
The Giants grabbed the momentum in the second quarter, kicking four-straight goals and hitting the lead midway through the term.
Mason Wood then nabbed a goal with his first touch to help GWS to a slender 52-47 advantage at half-time.
Brown had been kept quiet by the returning Tim Mohr but put his stamp on the match with back-to-back goals to open the third quarter.
He put the exclamation mark on a dominant quarter with his fifth moments before the siren, giving the Kangaroos a 92-59 lead.
WATCH: Brown bags his fifth
Trent Dumont landed a crucial first blow for North against the wind in the last term before the Giants fell away.
GWS again struggled to convert its chances without a host of key players including co-captain Phil Davis, Josh Kelly and Brett Deledio.
"They out-hunted us in that 30-minute period," Giants coach Leon Cameron said of the third term.
"Clearly, we've been struggling the last three weeks to play a brand of footy that's accepted."
Stephen Coniglio led the touches for GWS with 25, while Jacob Hopper was also strong with 24.
WATCH: Simpkin's classy goal
MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: Jamie Macmillan spent time off the ground in the second term to get his blood nose strapped up but was able to play out the remainder of the match.
Greater Western Sydney: Sam Reid appeared to come off the ground late in the match holding his right hamstring, taking no further part in the match. Rory Lobb came off shortly after Reid clutching his right arm.
NEXT UP
The Roos head west to take on Fremantle at Optus Stadium next Sunday, looking for their first win in Perth since 2014. The Giants return to Spotless Stadium and host Essendon on Saturday night, a side they've beaten on their previous three meetings.
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NORTH MELBOURNE 5.4 7.5 14.8 17.10 (112)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 1.5 7.10 8.11 9.15 (69)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Brown 5, Waite 4, Ziebell 2, Wood 2, Anderson, Simpkin, Dumont, Goldstein
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron 2, Langdon, Himmelberg, Corr, Lobb, Lloyd, Reid, Keeffe
BEST
North Melbourne: Waite, Brown, Higgins, Goldstein, Anderson, McDonald
Greater Western Sydney: Hopper, Haynes, Coniglio, Tomlinson
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Reid (hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Findlay, Gianfagna
Official crowd: 7194 at Blundstone Arena
