A Charlie Lazzaro led North Melbourne has thumped the GWS Giants by 52 points at Arden Street Oval on Sunday afternoon.

Lazzaro, who set up the result with 23 first-half disposals and a goal, finished with 36 touches in the 14.12 (96) to 6.8 (44) win.

The in-form Daniel Howe also impressed by hitting the scoreboard with three early goals, eight tackles and 24 disposals.

The Kangaroos burst out of the blocks with a four-goal first quarter while also keeping the Giants scoreless.

North Melbourne's intensity didn't drop off in the second term with five goals, while the visitors finally kicked their first through Wade Derksen nine minutes into the quarter.

The Roos dominated possession 393-278 and despite losing the clearances by seven, were able to get the job done against a fellow finals contender.

Since their early season bye, the Kangaroos have won five of six matches to stay in touch with the top four and senior coach Tom Lynch was particularly thrilled with this result.

KANGAROOS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

"It was probably our best performance of the year," Lynch said.

"I know we've had some really good wins against some really good opposition, but today was probably as good a footy as we've played.

"The attitude of the guys and the mindset of the players was evident early with a really fast start which was pleasing for the players.

"I'm really proud of the boys with the way they were able to perform and put in the effort that they did."

Mid-season draftee Robert Hansen jnr kicked his first goal for the club midway through the second term and finished with nine disposals and four tackles.

"He fitted in really well," Lynch said.

"He got a nice goal which would have been exciting for him because the boys certainly got around him.

"He had a couple of other opportunities where he could have had shots on goal and hit the scoreboard, but looked to be really unselfish and bring others into the game, which is a real focus from the group.

"He fitted in really well so I was really pleased for him to get through unscathed and put a good performance in and hopefully build a little bit of confidence from the game and enjoy his footy."

The Roos coach praised Lazzaro and Howe's efforts, while also singling out Flynn Perez for his best game of season 2023.

"'Laz' and 'Howey' were outstanding through the middle of the ground," Lynch said.

"They were really well supported with our skipper Jack Watkins ... their ability to work and shape the footy and work from contest to contest was really impressive.

"We had some really strong performances from the guys in our back half too, Kal Dawson had a terrific game as did guys like Jackson Archer, he was fantastic.

"Flynny Perez had a ripping performance today, it was his best game of footy for the year and Ben Davis was also really important for us down there, so I'm really pleased for those guys."

Archer played three quarters as he continues to build his match loads in his return from a groin injury.

The Kangaroos will now take on the Coburg Lions at Piranha Park next Sunday afternoon before having a bye in Round 14.

NORTH MELBOURNE     4.4     9.5     12.10     14.12     (96) 
GWS GIANTS                 0.0     2.3     3.5     6.8     (44) 

GOALS
North Melbourne: Howe 3, Lowson 2, Harvey 2, Bath, Hansen jnr, Lazzaro, McCormick, Young, Lienert, Downie
GWS Giants: Derksen 2, Jones-Hughes, Flynn, Gruzewski, Madden

BEST  
North Melbourne: Lazzaro, Howe, Perez, Dawson, Davis, Lowson, Watkins, Butler

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil