The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos have gone down to reigning premiers Adelaide by 14 points at Unley Oval.

The reigning premiers conceded the first two goals of the game but rallied to kick the next four in a tough and engrossing contest, running out winners 4.6 (30) to 2.4 (16).

CROWS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The Crows (2-1) have won back-to-back games after last week's win over Richmond, while the Kangaroos (1-2) have now dropped two in a row.

Gun Crows midfielder Ebony Marinoff was the dominant player on the ground with a game-high 29 disposals, including 15 contested possessions, 13 tackles and seven inside 50s.

Partner in crime Anne Hatchard was also outstanding with 23 touches, captain Chelsea Randall did a wonderful tagging job on Kangaroos star Jasmine Garner in the second quarter, while electric forward Danielle Ponter kicked two of her side's four goals.

Garner led the Roos with 24 disposals, but was held to just seven in the second half. Ash Riddell (23 disposals) and Emma Kearney (18) were also influential for North.

Scores were level at three-quarter time before goals to Ponter and ruck Caitlin Gould were the difference for the Crows.

The Kangaroos burst out of the blocks with first-quarter goals to Alice O'Loughlin and Vikki Wall before the Crows responded through Hannah Munyard and Ponter.

From there, the match became a scrap, with neither side willing to give an inch.

Kangaroos utility Amy Smith suffered a concussion after an accidental boot to the head from Marinoff in the second quarter, the incident summing up the tough nature of the contest.

Alice and Abba

North Melbourne fielded an inexperienced forward group over the first two rounds, with stopper-turned-spearhead Tahlia Randall having led the line.

At only 20, O'Loughlin is no veteran but went in with the experience of three pre-seasons and nine senior games to draw on.

Having overcome bone stress to be selected, the former Oakleigh Chargers forward was assured and impactful when she went near the ball, and used her frame to effect.

Sophie Abbatangelo, at 32 with 32 games and 22 goals to her name, made an instant impact having negotiated the same injury struggles as O'Loughlin.

Respected for her goal threat, 'Abba' found space hard to come by but cleverly drew her opponents out of her teammates' way.

As the season wears on, their forward nous will funnel not only into results but the development of young forwards like Sophia McCarthy and Charli Granville.

Mia steps up when it means the most

A proud Jawoyn woman, Mia King spoke passionately of her heritage and what it would mean to her to pull on 'Marram,' the Kangaroos' Indigenous jumper.

When the time came, the Launceston product put in one of the most impressive performances of her fledgling career.

The Crows possess a battle-hardened onball unit, home to Anne Hatchard, Ebony Marinoff and a supporting cast of multiple premiership players.

To compete with them on their home territory is to compress the ground and support one another, and in this sense King was everything the Roos needed her to be and more.

The 21-year-old finished with 14 disposals, six tackles and 220 metres gained.

Up next

The Crows have an eight-day break ahead of their clash with Collingwood at Victoria Park next Sunday (12.10pm AEST). Meanwhile, the Kangaroos take a home game to Launceston when they host Geelong at University of Tasmania Stadium on Friday afternoon (5.10pm AEST).

ADELAIDE                            0.2  2.2  2.4  4.6  (30)
NORTH MELBOURNE      2.1  2.3  2.4  2.4  (16)

GOALS
Adelaide: Ponter 2, Gould, Munyard
North Melbourne: O'Loughlin, Wall

BEST 
Adelaide: Randall, Marinoff, Ponter, Hatchard, Gould, Biddell
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Kearney, Bruton
 
INJURIES 
Adelaide: Nil
North Melbourne: Smith (concussion)
 
LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
 
Reports: Nil