NORTH Melbourne's best start to a season in a decade has hit a road bump after Toby Greene dazzled in his milestone match to power Greater Western Sydney to a seven-point win in Canberra.

The Kangaroos were enjoying their best start to a campaign since going 9-0 in 2016, and a rousing 75-point victory against Richmond last round had heightened the club's elation.

GIANTS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

But their winning ways came to a tense end as the Giants produced a 15.15 (105) to 14.14 (98) victory on Sunday, the seven-point margin easing pressure on the video review panel after a controversial late call.

It was a much-needed win for GWS (3-4), who had lost four of their previous five games.

They were boosted by a flurry of returning players, including Jesse Hogan (quad), who provided the spark when he slotted two settling goals after North Melbourne shot out to a 19-point lead in the first quarter.

From there, the Giants rallied to take the lead in the second term before both teams exchanged goals in a see-sawing contest.

With scores level early in the fourth quarter, 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.

The Giants scuffed chances that would have put the result beyond doubt, but still managed to hold strong and emerge victorious. 

Greene was typically inspirational as he became the most capped Giant with 268 games, going past Callan Ward's old mark.

The 32-year-old had 27 disposals, two goals and 502 metres, while half-back Lachie Ash was also busy with 30 disposals and 757 metres gained.

Defender Lachie Whitfield (32 disposals, 18 kicks) and midfielder Clayton Oliver (26 disposals, 18 handballs) also excelled, while Stringer and Aaron Cadman had three goals apiece.

For North (4-3), Tristan Xerri returned from suspension and was instrumental with 25 disposals, 24 hit-outs, 12 tackles, and 10 clearances while Sheezel posted 32 disposals despite undergoing finger surgery during the week. 

Nick Larkey (four goals) and Caleb Daniel (30 disposals) were also prolific for the visitors. 

GWS's Leek Aleer slotted the opener, but the Kangaroos flicked a switch, scoring the next four goals as Sheezel terrorised the Giants' midfield. 

Hogan kicked back-to-back majors to swing the momentum into the home team's favour, and they stepped up to take the lead midway through the second quarter. 

From there, both teams went tit for tat, and scores were locked at 7.7 (49) at half-time.

The Kangaroos refused to bow to their hosts, but the Giants hung on in a desperate final 10 minutes to secure victory.

Sleight of hand has everyone guessing
There's rarely a week goes by without a video review controversy, but a decision not to overrule a Giants goal late in the game threatened to be the main story out of a magnificent contest. A Xavier O'Halloran snap halfway through the tense final term re-established a three-goal break for GWS, but replays had commentators thinking the score would be cancelled as Griffin Logue's finger appeared to get the lightest of touches. The ARC disagreed, the goal stood and the debate kicked off.

Toby shines on his big night
Sunday was game 268 for Toby Greene, taking him past Callan Ward's career tally and into top place as the Giants' games-record holder. The achievement is just another in a long line for the GWS skipper who leaves nothing in the tank every week. Greene was again among the Giants' best and the driving factor in turning momentum his side's way in the second quarter, before enjoying a moment in the third - albeit a stolen one as he took the advantage from a Nick Madden free kick that would have been the ruckman's first AFL goal.

A Giant howler from an unlikely source
It's not often you see Lachie Whitfield make basic errors, but the two-time All-Australian messed up big time during the first quarter. Taking the kick out following a North Melbourne behind, Whitfield strolled out of the goalsquare looking upfield for a teammate. And he kept strolling, seemingly oblivious to Charlie Spargo bearing down. The new Roo couldn't believe his luck, wrapping his arms around Whitfield like an aged-care worker gathering a confused resident wandering in the gardens. Spargo got the free and the goal, Whitfield got a moment he'd rather forget.

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

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

INJURIES
Greater Western Sydney: TBC
North Melbourne: TBC

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

Crowd: TBC at Manuka Oval