NORTH Melbourne has taken possession of fifth position on the ladder after overcoming a determined Melbourne outfit by 28 points at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

The Kangaroos assembled the 14.14 (98) to 10.10 (70) win with a seven-goal opening term, with the Demons managing just a solitary major in the first stanza.

However, Melbourne rallied after three-quarter time and got within 19 points to make proceedings interesting, but North weathered the storm and maintained their lead with Lindsay Thomas kicking three final-term goals and five for the match.

The result sees North leap over five sides from 10th position into fifth with a total of 38 premiership points, which leaves them just one game behind the fourth-placed Sydney.

It was the Kangaroos' fourth win from their past five games, with the result coming on the back on triumphs over Port Adelaide and Collingwood.

It also leaves North Melbourne undefeated at the MCG in 2008, having won five from five at the famous venue.

Chilly and often-damp conditions kept the crowd to a paltry 21,330 with the car-park closing before the game, but Kangaroo supporters who turned out were treated to an impressive display by Brent Harvey, Corey Jones, Josh Gibson and David Hale.

Harvey had 27 touches and booted two goals, and David Hale was solid with 14 possessions (10 of which were contested) while Adam Simpson had 30 disposals.

Jones was instrumental in the quarter that most influenced the win with three first-term majors (four for the day), while Gibson played a solid game in defence opposed to debutant Addam Maric and later Brad Miller.

Before the fourth term, the highlights were few and far between for Melbourne. Michael Newton provided some reason for celebration with a dribbling checkside goal in the third quarter, while Miller got off to a good start to kick three goals in the first half.  

Simon Buckley and Aaron Davey were both good, but the Demons' afternoon was basically summed up when a frustrated Lynden Dunn was reported twice in a minute in the third term for a pair of crude hits on Harvey.

The initial story of the day was the Roos' explosive start, which saw them pile on 7.3 to the Demons' 1.3 to take a 36-point lead into the second term.

Melbourne kicked the first of the second through Miller and looked more awake, but the Roos rallied and were able to win the quarter by two points to hold a 38-point advantage at the long break.

Thomas kicked the first goal of the second half for the Roos and blew the lead to 43 points, but the Demons were tenacious. Through Davey and Newton, they managed to win the term by seven points, which meant they trailed by 31 with a quarter to go.

Melbourne saved its best for last with an impressive final stanza, where the difference was reduced to as little as four straight kicks when the Kangaroos dropped their intensity slightly.

Colin Sylvia snared the six-pointer that put the Demons within 19 points around the 10-minute mark, but Thomas was quick to follow that up with his fourth.

Another major to the little goal-sneak as the clock dipped into red time after the Roos forced a turnover deep inside their attacking 50 put the task beyond the Demons, and the seagulls began to circle over the MCG.

North Melbourne will now play the Brisbane Lions at Carrara next Saturday night, while Melbourne meets Essendon at the MCG during the day.

GOALS
Melbourne: Miller 3, Newton 2, Davey, Valenti, P. Johnson, Sylvia, Morton,
North Melbourne: Thomas 5, Jones 4, Harvey 2, Petrie, Hale, Campbell,

BEST
Melbourne: Buckley, Jones, Valenti, Davey, McDonald, P. Johnson
North Melbourne: Harvey, Hale, Jones, Thomas, Gibson, Simpson, Rawlings

INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Dunn (Melbourne) for striking Harvey (North Melbourne) in the third quarter by umpire McLaren, Dunn (Melbourne) for striking Harvey (North Melbourne) in the third quarter by umpire McLaren

Umpires: McLaren, Fila, Hendrie

Official crowd: 21,330 at the MCG