North Melbourne has fallen to a 51-point defeat at an empty Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

In a feisty and physical clash that threatened to boil over at times, the Dockers soaked up an early rally from the Kangaroos before taking over with authority and kicking on to win 14.15 (99) to 6.12 (48).

After a tightly contested first quarter, lapses in concentration from the Roos in the second term saw the Dockers kick away to hold a 28-point margin at half-time, with the margin increasing at each interval.

The Dockers' dominant midfield quartet of Serong (35 disposals), Fyfe (34 disposals), Brayshaw (31 disposals) and Mundy (30 disposals, 3 goals) were influential as they guided Fremantle to it's third win in a row.

Captain Jack Ziebell continued to be a key playmaker from the back half for the Kangaroos, finishing with 37 disposals and eight rebound 50s.

Midfielders Ben Cunnington (25 and five clearances) and Jy Simpkin (24 and four) fought hard in the midfield, while first-year onballer Tom Powell showed more glimpses of his talent with 25 disposals – his best return in six games.

FREMANTLE                    3.4     7.9     11.13     14.15      (99)
NORTH MELBOURNE     2.2     3.5     5.9     6.12     (48)

GOALS 
Fremantle: Taberner 4, Schultz 4, Mundy 3, Colyer, Darcy, Walters
North Melbourne: Stephenson 2, Goldstein, Larkey, Campbell, Phillips 

BEST
Fremantle: Mundy, Fyfe, Serong, Schultz, Braysahw, Taberner, Ryan
North Melbourne: Ziebell, Cunnington, Simpkin, Stephenson, Powell 

INJURIES 
Fremantle: Brennan Cox (ankle), Michael Walters (eye)
North Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTIRUTES 
Fremantle: Connor Blakely (replaced Brennan Cox)
North Melbourne: Dom Tyson (unused) 

Crowd: No crowd permitted at Optus Stadium