North Melbourne has fallen to a 41-point loss at the hands of Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

The Roos led at the final change after an impressive third term, but ultimately ran out of legs, as the Crows booted eight goals to one to seal the match.

With Luke McDonald (pectoral muscle) and Cameron Zurhaar (concussion) sidelined throughout the game, North was left to rue several missed opportunities in the second and third terms, as it dominated much of the play. 

North's younger brigade performed strongly throughout the day, in a much-improved performance from last week.

Jy Simpkin finished the game with 29 disposals, while Tom Powell had 19 and Will Phillips brought the crowd to its feet with the first goal of his career.

Bailey Scott, Jaidyn Stephenson and Jack Mahony were all busy in the defeat. 

A passage of play that saw Phillips hit a pin-point pass to Powell, who put the ball out in front of Stephenson and resulted in a goal was one of several highlights in an encouraging display from North. 

The Roos take on Geelong away from home next week.

NORTH MELBOURNE 2.2 6.3 9.7 10.8 (68)
ADELAIDE 5.2 8.6 8.9 16.13 (109)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Stephenson 2, Thomas 2, Goldstein 2, Phillips
Adelaide: Walker 3, Fogarty 3, McAdam 3, Schoenberg 2, Murphy, O'Brien, Seedsman, Rowe, Sholl

BEST
North Melbourne: Hall, Simpkin, Stephenson, Powell, Ziebell, Thomas
Adelaide: Laird, Doedee, Sholl, O'Brien, Seedsman, Smith

INJURIES
North Melbourne:  Zurhaar (concussion), McDonald (pectoral muscle). 
Adelaide: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Young (replaced McDonald)
Adelaide: Mackay (unused)

Crowd: TBC at Marvel Stadium