North Melbourne has snapped its six-game losing streak, defeating the Coburg Lions 9.12 (66) to 9.6 (60) at Arden Street Oval.

The Roos managed to hold off a late surge in the final quarter from the visitors to secure the win six-point victory.

The Lions applied constant pressure and tallied repeat inside 50s as they continued to cut North Melbourne's lead down, but the buffer the Roos had already created was too big for Coburg to overcome despite only notching one behind in the last stanza.

"The boys were outstanding today," VFL coach Tom Lynch told NMFC Media.

"I was really pleased with the way we played, particularly in the first three quarters, and we were able to hold on against a fast-finishing Coburg.

"In the contest and around clearance we were able to set the game up really well."

KANGAROOS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

The opening quarter was a tight affair with both sides hitting the scoreboard within the first 10 minutes, but it was the Lions who controlled possession for the majority of the term.

Mid-season rookie draftee Brynn Teakle (one goal, 13 disposals) got involved early in his new colours, clunking a contested mark before forward Tyler Sellers (three goals, 16 disposals) did the same prior to converting the Roos' first major.

Defenders Bigoa Nyuon and Jarrod Leinert were crucial in the opening stages, preventing the Lions from doing damage in front of goals with a handful of important spoils.

The home side went into the first change down two points but got the better of the visitors in the second quarter, kicking three unanswered goals.

The run began with big man Hamish Free (28 hitouts, 17 disposals, five clearances) who crumbed the ball from a pack and slotted one from the close range.

Soon after, Connor Downie was rewarded for his pressure, winning a free kick for holding the ball 30 metres out on a tight angle which he was able to convert. 

The Roos pressed again, and it was Teakle who took a juggling mark inside 50 before making no mistake from his set shot to claim his first goal as a Kangaroo.

"Teaks provided a really good contest forward of the ball for us … the boys loved getting around him," Lynch said.

Also playing his first game in North Melbourne colours was youngster Geordie Payne, who showed his competitiveness on his way to 10 disposals and five inside 50s.

"His pressure in particular was really impressive," he said.

"Some of the perceived pressure through his chases really stood out as the game went on, he found composure with ball in hand, and he looked right at home.

"Those two boys (Payne and Teakle) slotted in really nicely."

On the back of some dominant midfield work, the Roos started to extend their lead in the third term and were led by Hugh Greenwood (29 disposals, 13 clearances, eight tackles) and Charlie Lazzaro (36 disposals, seven clearances).

"Our senior players stood up, I thought Hugh Greenwood was fantastic today, Charlie Lazzaro, and Jack Watkins inside ... and that was Hamish Free's best game for us in the ruck, (I was) really pleased with his performance," Lynch said.

Onballer Will Phillips (18 disposals, one goal, six tackles) played a lockdown role on Coburg midfielder Flynn Gentile, holding the Lions' star to a minimal impact.

"Will played on one of the best players in the competition in Gentile and I thought he was really impressive," Lynch said.

"He was able to get off and play, find his footy as well and contribute to some of our scoring sources."

It was Watkins who got his side off to a blinding start in the second half, booting a major inside the first 20 seconds of the third quarter. 

The Roos would go on another three-goal run in the term, with Sellers booting two - including a banana from the boundary line - and Phillips slotting the third on his non-preferred.

Coburg's final-quarter run made for a dramatic finish at Arden Street, but the Roos had done enough to end their losing skid.

Defender Riley Hardeman (23 disposals, 10 marks) put in another solid shift behind the ball, while fellow youngster Taylor Goad was deployed on the last line of defence for the afternoon.

Blake Drury (knee) and Nyuon (corkie) both left the field before half-time, while Dylan Stephens (illness) was a late withdrawal and was replaced by Alex Noblett.

"I don't think it's a serious injury (for Blake) which is great, but I don't think it's a 1-2 week one either so we'll see where that plays out and fingers crossed that he’s only on the sideline for a short period," Lynch said.

"Biggie got a really big knock to his hip, so we're hoping he'll just be a test for next week."

NORTH MELBOURNE      2.4    5.7    9.11    9.12  (66)     
COBURG LIONS                3.0    3.2    6.2    9.6  (60)     

GOALS  
North Melbourne: Sellers 3, Hansen jnr, Teakle, Watkins, Downie, Free, Phillips
Coburg Lions: Dammersmith 2, Gillard, Bromell, Cameron, Toohey, Trudgeon, Weightman, D’Intinosante

BEST  
North Melbourne: Greenwood, Lazzaro, Sellers, Free, Phillips, Hardeman

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Drury (knee), Nyuon (corkie)

LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: Dylan Stephens (illness) replaced by Alex Noblett