Jacob van Rooyen during round 19 between North Melbourne and Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, July 18, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

MELBOURNE has come back from a 25-point first-quarter deficit to defeat North Melbourne 13.14 (92) to 11.10 (76) at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.

The Roos looked switched on at the outset as they desperately try to claim a big scalp in the hunt for a Wildcard spot, but the Demons stepped the class up a gear in the second half as they maintain their own chase for an unexpected top-six finish.

KANGAROOS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats

The usual names stepped up for Melbourne, but Stephen King would be most excited by a four-goal return from Matthew Jefferson who combined well with the in-form Jacob van Rooyen.

However, injuries to Daniel Turner and Changkuoth Jiath could be a concern, especially Turner who was taken to hospital after appearing to hurt his chest early in the game before playing on before receiving another hit to the same spot.

North Melbourne showed plenty early but lost momentum late in the first half and couldn't get it back, despite three goals in the game's final five minutes adding some respectability on the scoreboard.

More to come

Cometh the moment cometh the men
The Pickett name has delivered many memorable moments in football, so when Melbourne needed something special to take momentum to the long break after trailing throughout the first half it was always going to be a Pickett – or two – that delivered. First, Kozzy received the ball in the middle of the ground, did a little loop to lose Nick Larkey then delivered perfectly to cousin Latrelle who finished with a deft left foot snap.

00:55

The Pickett connection clicks to perfection

Kysaiah Pickett delivers the footy inside 50, and cousin Latrelle Pickett applies the finishing touches

Hall of Fame and Legends game
North Melbourne celebrated its Hall of Fame night on Friday and paraded new inductees Corey McKernan, Brent Harvey, Adam Simpson and Greg Miller beside freshly minted Legends Malcolm Blight and Dennis Pagan during the half-time break. While some young Kangaroos supporters would have been pushed to recognise the former stars, older fans were surely taken back to days of premierships and hoping for more flags to come soon. Arnold Briedis and the late Sel Murray were also Hall of Fame inductees.

North Melbourne Hall of Fame inductees, Brent Harvey, Adam Simpson, Corey McKernan and Greg Miller with Legends Denis Pagan and Malcolm Blight during round 19 between North Melbourne and Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, July 18, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

Have the Dees' forward prayers been answered at last?
Melbourne has been searching for a genuine key forward for years, and just when it looks like Jacob van Rooyen has found his feet to answer the call, Matt Jefferson puts his hand up as a second option. Saturday was Jefferson’s 18th game in four years on the Demons’ list and it was his best, finishing with four goals from five marks and 10 disposals. One big outing doesn’t make a career, but he may get the chance to develop in a protected environment as JvR takes most of the defensive heat.

00:51

‘Out of nowhere’: Emerging Dee finds open door for four

Matthew Jefferson plucks a clever mark in the square and snares his fourth goal of the game

ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS

NORTH MELBOURNE    6.1    7.2     8.7     11.10 (76)
MELBOURNE                 4.1    6.4   10.10   13.14 (92)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Curtis 3, Spargo 2, Darling 2, Trembath, Sheezel, Xerri, Whitlock
Melbourne: Jefferson 4, van Rooyen 2, L.Pickett 2, Sparrow, Sharp, K.Pickett, Langford, Heath

BEST
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Davies-Uniacke, Xerri, O’Sullivan, Simpkin, Harvey
Melbourne: K.Pickett, Sparrow, Gawn, Bowey, Jefferson, Steele

INJURIES
North Melbourne: TBC
Melbourne: Turner (chest), Jiath (leg)

Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium