Melbourne has surged past North Melbourne at the MCG, winning 22.7 (139) to 7.7 (49) in a one-sided affair on Saturday night that saw the Roos lose three players over the course of the match.

The Demons kicked five goals in a flurry to open the first quarter, which was a period further soured when key forward Charlie Comben was taken from the field on a stretcher after suffering a serious lower leg injury.

Play was held up for several minutes and significantly, the Seven Network opted against showing a replay of the gruesome incident.

Fellow North forward Callum Coleman-Jones also was forced from the game in the third term after coming off second-best in a marking contest with Demons defender Steven May.

Completing a tough night for the Roos, Tom Powell needed help from trainers as he went off with a leg injury in the last term.

DEMONS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The Dees kicked their highest score this year and were on track to their biggest winning margin against the Kangaroos, before Alastair Clarkson's side kicked the last three goals of the match.

Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver finished with 37 possessions, while Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw, in his 150th game, also stood out for the home side.

The Kangaroos managed to lead the clearance count early despite Melbourne's strong start, but struggled to match their opposition's intensity and slickness post-stoppage and post-centre bounce over four quarters.

With limited opportunities, Zurhaar finished with three goals to his name, while impressive North Melbourne youngster Harry Sheezel and Aaron Hall had 30-possession games.

Sheez, this kid is good
Harry Sheezel exploded at AFL level from round one and was averaging over 31 disposals a game through the first five weeks before coming back to ground against the Suns in round six with just 11 touches. Had the pace got to the young Roo or was it a case of being figured out by the opposition? Don't worry North Melbourne fans, Sheezel was right back amongst it on Saturday night, finishing with 30 disposals and arguably the Kangaroos' best.

MELBOURNE                 8.2    13.3    16.4    22.7 (139)
NORTH MELBOURNE    1.0     2.3      4.6      7.7 (49)
 
GOALS 
Melbourne: Fritsch 4, Pickett 3, Petracca 3, Chandler 3, Grundy 2, Viney, van Rooyen, Sparrow, Rivers, Neal-Bullen, Schache, Bowey
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 3, Larkey 2, Shiels, Cunnington

BEST 
Melbourne: Petracca, Oliver, Fritsch, Chandler, Brayshaw, Viney, Bowey
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Simpkin, Zurhaar, Ziebell, McDonald

INJURIES 
Melbourne: Nil
North Melbourne: Comben (leg), Coleman-Jones (concussion), Tom Powell (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: James Harmes (replaced Michael Hibberd in the fourth quarter)
North Melbourne: Daniel Howe (replaced Charlie Comben in the first quarter)

Crowd: 29,455 at the MCG