The Roos entered the game with a new-look outfit, but it was mainly their most familiar names who had the biggest say in keeping them in the match early.

New skipper Jack Ziebell led the way with 31 disposals, while former captain Andrew Swallow was dogged with 23 touches and eight tackles. More midfield time made for a productive performance from Trent Dumont (25 disposals) and Shaun Higgins (25 touches) showed his skill after an injury-impacted season last year.

The Roos' four debutants, plus recruits Nathan Hrovat and Marley Williams, were all relatively quiet for the blue and white but ruckman Braydon Preuss did impress at times in combination with important big man Todd Goldstein.

North had the better of the start, posting the first two goals in the opening three minutes and continuing to dominate play for the quarter.

Their nine-point advantage at the first change didn't quite reflect the level of their control, however, after recording 18 inside-50s to 11 and peppering the goals without making the most of their chances. 

It didn't take long for their misses to prove costly. The Eagles booted three goals in the opening three minutes of the second term to grab back the lead, and they held a six-point advantage by the main break.

Mark LeCras booted three for the term – and had a hand in another – to prove his class in West Coast's forward line and highlight his unique qualities as a medium forward and ever-present danger.

The Eagles kicked six goals for the second term but were unable to break the Roos, who returned fire whenever West Coast looked like pulling away. Ben Brown's aerial ability in attack, alongside the courageous and crafty Kayne Turner and imposing Jarrad Waite offered some presence to their forward set up.

But West Coast stepped up its game in the third term to stamp itself on the contest by converting seven goals to three and opening up a 28-point lead at the final change.

North had its chances again early in the fourth term, but Jarrad Waite's wastefulness (he finished with 1.7) continued with two early misses. Moments later, Drew Petrie booted a goal from outside 50 for the Eagles to extend his new team's lead to 31 points and all but end the contest, starting his career at his new club in a winning way. 

WHAT'S NEW

North Melbourne: Lots was new about North in terms of personnel. First-round pick Jy Simpkin picked up nine touches and put his body on the line in attack, while former Bulldog Nathan Hrovat tried hard in attack and kicked a nice goal. Mitchell Hibberd, Braydon Preuss and Declan Mountford were quiet on debut, while former Pie Marley Williams (11 disposals) struggled to get involved.

West Coast: Sam Mitchell will get plenty of attention, and deservedly so, for his brilliant first game at the Eagles. But Nathan Vardy, with West Coast's ruck division decimated by injury, also needs to stand up this year, and he started well on Sunday. The former Cat had 10 disposals and 16 hit-outs and was competitive around the ground. 

MEDICAL ROOM

North Melbourne: The Roos appeared to get through without any real injury concerns ahead of next week, but Waite did end the game with his shoulder being iced after a contest late in the match.

West Coast: It was a dire start for Drew Petrie in West Coast colours, with the former Roo leaving the field early in the first term with a hand injury. He returned to the field after receiving treatment and played out the game, but will doubtless face scans during the week to check the severity of the problem.

NEXT UP

West Coast head home to host St Kilda at Domain Stadium next Saturday, with Saints champion Nick Riewoldt to miss the clash with his knee injury. North takes on Geelong at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.

NORTH MELBOURNE 4.6 8.8 11.10 13.15 (93)
WEST COAST 3.3 9.8 16.8 21.10 (136)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Goldstein 3, Brown 2, Turner 2, Atley, Ziebell, Waite, Preuss, Hrovat, Tarrant
West Coast: Kennedy 7, LeCras 4, Cripps 3, Yeo 2, Darling 2, Jetta, Hill, Petrie

BEST 
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Dumont, Higgins, Swallow, Goldstein
West Coast: Mitchell, Kennedy, Priddis, LeCras, Gaff, Yeo

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
West Coast: Petrie (hand) 

Reports: Nil 
Umpires: Margetts, Nicholls, Mitchell  
Official crowd: 21,997 at Etihad Stadium