North Melbourne has fallen to a 44-point loss at the hands of the Western Bulldogs, in its first Marsh Series game.

The Roos started the game positively in an even first quarter, with Tarryn Thomas providing the highlight.

But despite dominating territory in the second term, Rhyce Shaw's men weren't able to put the score on the board.

The Bulldogs made the better of their opportunities, going into half-time with an 18-point lead, before extending that to 32 with a dominant third quarter.

There were promising signs for a North side missing the likes of Shaun Higgins, Jack Ziebell and Ben Brown, with Tristan Xerri standing tall in the ruck and up forward, Aiden Bonar looking comfortable through the midfield on debut, and Curtis Taylor having an impact, particularly in the air. 

Ben Cunnington was the Roos' leading disposal winner, with 27, Trent Dumont and Jamie Macmillan had 20 each, and Todd Goldstein had 14 to go with 47 hit-outs.

North will take on Melbourne in a practice match next Friday afternoon, before playing its final Marsh Series game against Sydney, on March 9 in Tasmania.

AFL.com.au says: Ex-Giant Aiden Bonar started on the bench and went straight to the centre, where he capitalised on the extra opportunity afforded with a number of star Kangaroos out. Used his big body well at times to accumulate 15 possessions, eight tackles and three clearances. Josh Walker is fighting for a key defensive spot and did his hopes no harm with a good job on various opponents, to go with 10 marks. It was a quiet night for draftee Jack Mahony but he's shown promise this pre-season.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.4 7.7 11.10 15.11 (101)
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.0 5.1 7.2  9.3 (57)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Young 3, Lloyd 3, Schache 2, Bontempelli 2, Dickson, Dale, Wallis, Hunter, McLean
North Melbourne: Larkey 2, Xerri 2, Goldstein, Thomas, Anderson, Taylor, Garner

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Hunter, Macrae, Young, Crozier, Dunkley
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Simpkin, Walker, Anderson, Thomas, Dumont

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Naughton (knee), replaced in selected side by Lewis Young, Richards (concussion)
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil
Umpires: Meredith, Lewis, Simmonds
Official crowd: 5465 at Marvel Stadium