North Melbourne remain unbeaten in the AFLW after downing Melbourne by four points in a tense encounter at Casey Fields.
Ruck-forward Emma King booted three goals, including a critical fourth-quarter effort that ensured the Kangaroos ran out 6.2 (38) to 5.4 (34) winners on Sunday to sit four points clear on top of Conference A.
The 186cm King proved to be the X-factor for the Roos, who were led brilliantly by midfielders Jamie Stanton (21 disposals) and Emma Kearney (15).
North trailed during the final term before King was paid a questionable push-in-the-back free kick and kicked truly from 20m out to wrestle back the lead.
Speedy forward Aliesha Newman starred for the Demons with two majors, while Karen Paxman gathered 25 touches in a compelling duel with Kearney.
"Good sides always find a way to win and I think we did that today, but there's a long way to go," Kangaroos coach Scott Gowans said.
"We got there, but I'd say it was an unconvincing win."
The defeat leaves Melbourne in a battle to make the finals given only two teams progress from each conference.
The Dees sit in fourth place in Conference A, trailing second-placed Adelaide and third-placed Fremantle by four points with three home-and-away rounds remaining.
One of two clubs added to the fledgling competition this year, the Roos had made it look easy with convincing wins over Carlton, GWS and the Western Bulldogs.
Their first game on Victorian soil proved to be their sternest test with Newman's second goal putting the Dees ahead early in the fourth quarter.
Newman had earlier booted a goal-of-the-year contender, latching onto a polished handball chain and using her speed to burst through traffic to kick a superb running major.
But, while the Demons fought hard to take the game down to the wire, a lack of composure proved costly when the game was on the line.
"I think our fundamentals (let us down) at some critical times," Demons coach Mick Stinear said.
"North are obviously a quality side and made us pay. We weren't able to take our opportunities and they obviously took theirs."
North's high-quality recruits again proved too much to overcome with Mo Hope (two goals) delivering arguably her best AFLW performance.
The tattooed forward, who struggled for form as a marquee player for Collingwood, marked strongly and showed signs of the dominance that led to her becoming the face of AFLW.
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