North Melbourne has its first win on the board in 2025 after thumping Melbourne by 59 points at Marvel Stadium.

The Kangaroos celebrated Jack Darling's milestone 300th game in style, overcoming an inaccurate start to win 19.11 (125) to 9.12 (66).

KANGAROOS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats

Darling kicked two goals and was among 11 individual North Melbourne goal kickers.

A dominant final quarter by the Kangaroos, where they kicked eight goals to Melbourne's one, blew out the margin from 18 points at three-quarter time to nearly 10 goals.

There were highlights all over the park for the Roos, from draftee Finn O'Sullivan's audacious spin on the wing in his second game, to brilliant first AFL goals for young gun Colby McKercher and trade recruit Jacob Konstanty.

One week after kicking 1.4 in a close loss to the Western Bulldogs, Cam Zurhaar answered his critics by kicking 4.1.

North Melbourne's midfield, led by ruck Tristan Xerri (29 hitouts, 12 clearances) and Tom Powell (31 disposals) were the difference, along with livewire forwards Zurhaar, Paul Curtis (three goals, 22 disposals) and Nick Larkey (three goals).

The result was in question at three-quarter time, when the Kangaroos held a three-goal lead after a nip and tuck third quarter.

But it was emphatically buried in the fourth quarter as the Roos piled on six unanswered goals in six minutes and 16 seconds of game time to send the North Melbourne faithful into raptures.

Reliable spearhead Larkey was in the centre of the action, slamming through two goals in a minute early in that fourth quarter burst to sap the Demons' spirits.

North ruck has a Xerri good day

It's not often you see Max Gawn beaten, but on Sunday, Tristan Xerri outplayed the seven-time All Australian. Not only did Xerri's centre bounce hit-outs at the start of the final term provide the Roos with crucial first use, but it was also his ability to win the ball from his own hit-outs and impact the scoreboard. Xerri finished the day with 20 disposals, including 15 contested possessions, 12 clearances and 11 score involvements and a goal in a best on ground performance. Demons coach Simon Goodwin indicated Gawn has been dealing with some personal issues, but acknowledged Xerri won the battle between the two.

Darling's milestone

Veteran forward Jack Darling's second game at his new club will be one that he will remember for the rest of his career. On Sunday, Darling led his new side onto Marvel Stadium as he became the 106th player in VFL/AFL history to reach 300 games. All but two of those games were played with West Coast, where he was a mainstay in their forward line for 14 seasons and a member of their 2018 premiership side. In his two games at North, Darling looks right at home alongside key forwards Nick Larkey and Cam Zuurhar and contributed on Sunday with two goals. In a nice touch, long-time teammate Andrew Gaff presented the veteran with his jumper and chaired Darling off the ground after the win.

Next Up

The Roos will be out to continue their winning form as they head interstate for the first time this AFL season to face Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. They will again be without defender Jackson Archer, who is serving a three-match suspension. Key back Griffin Logue could be a chance of returning from a hamstring injury. The game starts at 3.20pm AEDT next Sunday (2.50pm local time).

North Melbourne   3.5    8.9   11.10   19.11 (125)
Melbourne             4.5    6.9   8.10      9.12 (66)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Zurhaar 4, Larkey 3, Curtis 3, Darling 2, Konstanty, McKercher, Parker, Powell, Scott, Simpkin, Xerri
Melbourne: Chandler 3, Fritsch, Henderson, Oliver, Petracca, Turner, van Rooyen

BEST
North Melbourne: Xerri, Powell, Zurhaar, Curtis, Daniel, Comben
Melbourne: Oliver, Chandler, Petracca, Gawn, Lindsay, Viney

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Melbourne: Jefferson (hand)

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Dylan Stephens (replaced Will Phillips in the fourth quarter)
Melbourne: Taj Woewodin (replaced Matthew Jefferson in the second quarter)