North Melbourne's trade recruit Caleb Daniel impressed in his first competitive outing in Kangaroos colours, as the Roos lost to Melbourne by 46 points in a match simulation at Arden St Oval. 

North Melbourne made a positive start in challenging conditions, but faded after half-time in stifling February heat at the Kangaroos' home. 

The Demons led by two points at half-time before running away to win 18.9 (117) to 10.11 (71).  

Daniel moved 6km down the road from the Whitten Oval to Arden St in the closing minutes of last year's Trade Period and appears to have a new lease on life, thriving in his natural habitat across half-back, finding a stack of the ball in a polished display.

Veteran spearhead Jack Darling combined well with Nick Larkey in attack, providing a second target for the Kangaroos forward of centre. Larkey finished with three goals, benefiting from another tall option, while Paul Curtis finished with a couple.

"His (Darling's) summer has been great," North Melbourne assistant coach Leigh Adams said after the game.

"We obviously know the player he has been over his career. He will probably get judged a fair bit on the outside by the amount of goals he kicks – and I'm sure he will have games where he does kick goals – but what he is able to do from a leadership point of view and particularly what he can do in taking pressure off 'Larks' (is important). 

"His ability to get the ball to ground, he just never gets out-marked, he will get it to ground no matter what. Inside the club we value him greatly for what he does for stuff that doesn't get seen as much on the highlights tapes. We feel like he has had a great impact on our footy club so far."

Alastair Clarkson only had access to Griffin Logue twice last year, but after a decent summer, North Melbourne's backline looks sturdier with the West Australian slotting in alongside Aidan Corr and Charlie Comben on Saturday, with all three playing together for the first time this pre-season.

Match committee inside North ahead of the round one clash against the Western Bulldogs should be full of debate when it comes to the midfield. Luke Parker has added to that mix, playing alongside Luke Davies-Uniacke – who starred on Saturday – Harry Sheezel, Tom Powell and Will Phillips, while Colby McKercher and Finn O'Sullivan were both mainly used on the outside. 

North skipper Jy Simpkin was a late out after deciding on Saturday morning that he hadn't quite recovered fully from last weekend's Indigenous All Stars match against Fremantle, when he won the Polly Farmer Medal for best afield.

Young guns

North Melbourne's prized pick Finn O'Sullivan didn't take long to show his quality on a wing, with the pick No.2 from last November finding plenty of the ball on the outside. Melbourne's two fresh first-round picks – Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay – are both in the hunt for a round one debut after eye-catching displays on Saturday. Matt Jefferson – another former first-round pick – also showed he is getting closer to a debut, hitting the scoreboard and presenting after a gradual build at Casey across his first two years at the Demons.

Fantasy tempter

Once he got going, Caleb Daniel (MID/FWD, $514,000) showed just why he is a popular pick in Fantasy Classic this year. After a quiet first half, Daniel was busy as the Roos looked for him to set up play from defence. The Dees' No.6 draft pick Harvey Langford (MID, $325,000) also caught the eye, while popular selection Clayton Oliver (MID, $797,000) was busy in his three quarters. – Dejan Kalinic

NORTH MELBOURNE          2.3     6.3      9.8      10.11 (71)
MELBOURNE                        4.3     6.5     12.7      18.9 (117)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Curtis 2, Phillips, Daniel, Darling, Sheezel, Powell
Melbourne: van Rooyen 4, Sharp 4, Pickett 2, Sparrow 2, Billings, Jefferson, Woewodin, Campbell, Turner, Brown

NORTH MELBOURNE

2. Finn O'Sullivan, 3. Harry Sheezel, 4. Aidan Corr, 5. Caleb Daniel, 8. Bailey Scott, 9. Luke Davies-Uniacke, 10. Colby McKercher, 11. Luke McDonald, 13. Darcy Tucker, 15. Dylan Stephens, 19. Griffin Logue, 20. Nick Larkey, 22. Taylor Goad, 24. Tom Powell, 25. Paul Curtis, 26. Luke Parker, 28. Jack Darling, 29. Will Phillips, 30. Charlie Comben, 32. Toby Pink, 34. Jackson Archer, 38. Tristan Xerri, 39. Finnbar Maley, 41. Jacob Konstanty, 44. Cam Zurhaar, 46. Robbie Hansen jnr

Notable absentees: Jy Simpkin, Zac Fisher, Eddie Ford, Callum Coleman-Jones, George Wardlaw, Brynn Teakle, Zane Duursma

MELBOURNE

2. Jacob van Rooyen, 8. Jake Lever, 10. Daniel Turner, 13. Clayton Oliver, 14. Jack Billings, 16. Bailey Laurie, 17. Jake Bowey, 19. Harvey Langford, 20. Xavier Lindsay, 21. Matthew Jefferson, 22. Blake Howes, 24. Trent Rivers, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. Jed Adams, 27. Marty Hore, 28. Will Verrall, 29. Tom Campbell, 30. Harry Sharp, 32. Tom Sparrow, 33. Tom Fullarton, 35. Harrison Petty, 36. Kysaiah Pickett, 37. Kade Chandler, 38. Oliver Sestan, 39. Ricky Mentha Jnr, 40. Taj Woewodin, 41. Kynan Brown, 42. Aidan Johnson, 45. Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Notable absentees: Judd McVee, Caleb Windsor, Jack Viney, Koltyn Tholstrup, Shane McAdam, Steven May, Christian Salem, Christian Petracca, Charlie Spargo, Max Gawn, Ed Langdon, Jake Melksham, Bayley Fritsch