The Kangaroos overcame a slow start to kick 12 goals to four after half-time to record the 19.10 (124) to 12.11 (83) victory - just their second for the season - with Edwards passing his previous best bag of four AFL goals to play an integral part in the result.
The 27-year-old was recalled to the side after playing the past three matches in the VFL, where he booted 10 goals for North Ballarat last weekend.
It is the first time since 1980-84 the Kangaroos have beaten the Demons in nine consecutive games, with that previous winning streak extending for a total of 16 matches.
The last time the Demons broke through for a win against the Roos was in round 20, 2006 at the MCG when Neale Daniher was coach, David Neitz captain and the margin 50 points.
Bailey has also now lost all seven of his clashes against the Kangaroos since becoming Melbourne coach in 2008.
On Wednesday, North coach Brad Scott said the two sides were close in terms of development and the result of Saturday's game would give supporters an idea of where their team sat compared to one in a similar position.
Despite the undermanned nature of the Demons' line up, Scott - who has an unblemished record versus Melbourne in the three games he's coached against them - took plenty of heart from the come-from-behind win and was pleased with his players' character.
Influential players
Todd Goldstein was also enormous for the Kangaroos. In the absence of Jamar, Stef Martin tried hard as the No.1 big man but Goldstein's 30 hit-out, six clearance, 26-touch game was huge in determining the Roos' 54 to 48 advantage in the inside 50 count.
How the game changed
The Demons built their 24-point quarter-time lead by employing the tactic they've utilised more than any other side this season recently - a willingness to play on after marking. In the past four rounds, the Demons have played on after 49 per cent of marks, and their pacy ball movement in the opening quarter enabled them to have six more inside 50s than their opponents. In the second quarter, the Roos stymied their ability to do that with combative football and made them chip the ball around more, which reduced their scoring ability and then their lead to just seven points by half time.
How it was won
The Kangaroos hit the front for the first time at the four-minute mark of the third quarter after a Harvey goal that came from an off-the-ball free kick from the rattled Demons. After being shocked in the first quarter, the Roos simply put their heads down and worked harder. In the first quarter, they lead the contested ball count 33-30. By the final siren, that gap had widened to 156 to 138 in their favour.
The brain fade
The Kangaroos needed a spark early on and Daniel Pratt took it upon himself to attempt to inject some passion into his side. However, he went the wrong way about that when, at the 13-minute mark, Michael Newton took a leading mark just outside the Demons' forward 50 with Pratt hot on his heels. The Roo's reaction to the grab was to direct an undisciplined swipe at Newton's head, collecting him side-on with a closed fist. Newton fell to the ground and was awarded a 50m penalty, which gifted him the Demons' third goal as Pratt headed to the bench for a less-than-friendly phone chat with Scott.
Birthday boy
Brent Harvey has enjoyed sterling form against Melbourne in recent years that started in round nine, 2007. He has since polled 14 Brownlow votes in eight games against the Demons. On Saturday, he kicked three goals but was quiet by his standards and not as impressive.
However, he'll still be able to combine celebrations from the game's result afterwards with that of his 33rd birthday.
It's not easy being … red
The Kangaroos didn't play their substitute player Ben Speight until early in the fourth quarter in an attempt to stretch the hurting Demons, who went two players down in the third. The player directed to the pine to don the red vest was Jack Ziebell, who was forced to watch the final quarter from the bench, drenched in red, for the third straight match.
What it means
North Melbourne loves Etihad Stadium; when it comes to Melbourne, anyway. The Roos remain undefeated against the Demons at the venue in five starts. It also means the character that went missing last week against Geelong has been found, which will no doubt leave the Roos' coach much happier.
What the coach said
North Melbourne: Brad Scott
"I thought it showed really good character to get off to a start like that. A group of lesser competitors would have capitulated and they didn't, we got our composure back and we got on top. That part of it was really pleasing.
"Our ball use hurt us as much as anything. Our mistakes with the ball, silly 50m penalties, silly free kicks- we gave them goals. I think six of their first eight goals we had a direct hand in.
"Once we arrested that issue then we started to get on top offensively."
Toyota AFL Dream Team highlight
North Melbourne: Amazingly three Roos scored 130 points or more. Daniel Wells (150) ruckman Todd Goldstein (136) and Aaron Edwards (130) all played a major part in North Melbourne's fightback from a 24-point deficit at quarter time.
The next four
North Melbourne: The Roos have some very winnable games coming up. Travelling to the Gabba to face the Brisbane Lions will be a challenge, as will the Sydney Swans the week after but Adelaide (at Etihad Stadium) and Gold Coast (at Metricon Stadium) are shaping as two games North Melbourne have a good chance of winning.
Match details
North Melbourne 3.2 7.5 14.7 19.10 (124)
Melbourne 7.2 8.6 10.10 12.11 (83)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Edwards 6, Wells 3, Harvey 3, Hansen 2, Goldstein 2, Adams, Speight, Harper
Melbourne: Jurrah 3, Maric 3, Newton 2, Petterd 2, Watts, Bartram
BEST
North Melbourne: Wells, Edwards, Swallow, Goldstein, Garlett
Melbourne: Davey, Warnock, Martin, Frawley, Watts
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Cunnington (illness) replaced before the game by Garlett
Melbourne: Garland (ankle), Bail (knee), Martin (knee)
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne:
Jack Ziebell replaced by Ben Speight in the fourth quarterMelbourne: Colin Garland (leg) replaced by Jamie Bennell in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Bowen, Wenn
Official crowd: 23, 536 at Etihad Stadium
