NORTH Melbourne has inflicted more pain on the ailing Gold Coast Suns with a nine-point AFL win in Hobart.
The last-placed Kangaroos registered just their second victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, with Nick Larkey slotting three goals.
They were the better side against the wind in the final quarter as the third-last Suns slumped to their sixth loss in seven games.
The Suns mounted a late charge but Hugh Greenwood and Toby Sexton missed gettable set shots as the score finished 9.18 (72) to 9.9 (63).
North Melbourne would have had flashbacks to their draw against the Giants two weeks ago, where they gave up a 28-point lead.
Ben Cunnington was one of their best and finished with a game-high eight clearances, 28 disposals and five tackles.
Cameron Zurhaar kicked two goals including one from a tight angle in the final quarter that put the Kangaroos up by 18 points.
Josh Corbett was a shining light for the Suns, who were without captain David Swallow and fellow midfielder Lachie Weller.
Corbett, recalled to the side after a five-goal haul in the VFL, booted three goals, including two in an impressive opening quarter.
Playing their third match at Blundstone Arena in succession, the Kangaroos opened up a 28-18 lead at quarter time.
Gold Coast lifted in a scrappy second quarter and hit the lead for the first time midway through the term thanks to a Sexton major.
The Kangaroos wasted several opportunities inside 50 and trailed by eight at the main break in front of a crowd of 6719.
They regained the lead with the breeze in the third term, with two Larkey goals early on setting up a 63-52 lead.
North Melbourne had a slew of inside 50s late in the third term but only managed a few behinds to take a ten point advantage into the last quarter.
In a losing side, Touk Miller picked up a match-high 32 possessions.
(C) AAP 2021
NORTH MELBOURNE 4.4 5.8 8.15 9.18 (72)
GOLD COAST 3.0 7.4 8.4 9.9 (63)
Goals: North Melbourne: N Larkey 3 C Zurhaar 2 J Mahony J Simpkin K Turner L Davies-Uniacke. Gold Coast: J Corbett 3 A Sexton B Ainsworth H Greenwood N Holman S Flanders Z Smith.
Umpires: Mathew Nicholls, Brendan Hosking, Andrew Heffernan.
Venue: Blundstone Arena.
