The Western Bulldogs have spoiled North Melbourne's centenary celebrations, defeating a spirited Kangaroos outfit by 49 points on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium.

After an arm wrestle in the first half, the Dogs broke away after half-time to kick 10 goals to North's five to win 20.14 (134) to 13.7 (85) in front of a crowd of 25,009.

The victory makes it four in a row for the Bulldogs who move to fourth place on the ladder.

Key forwards from both teams had big nights with Roo Nick Larkey and Bulldog Aaron Naughton kicking five goals apiece, while Sam Darcy, who was held quiet for most of the night by young North defender Wil Dawson, finished with four goals, three of which came in the final term.

North fans will be pleased with their side's efforts, particularly in the first half when they took it up to the more experienced Bulldogs, despite losing key midfielder Luke Davie-Uniacke to concussion in the first quarter.

Key Dogs were the difference in the second half, with their leaders Marcus Bontempelli (25 disposals, 10 tackles, two goals), Ed Richards (26 disposals, nine clearances) and milestone man Tom Liberatore (27 disposals, 10 tackles, six clearances two goals), who was playing his 250th match, helping their side get ascendancy to break away.

It was a high-octane start with nine goals scored in the opening term.

The Dogs kicked two goals in the first three minutes with Laith Vandermeer finding himself free inside 50 before Tim English pushed forward and converted after clunking a contested mark. 

North supporters were preparing themselves for a long night, but Larkey had other ideas. The key forward had a spectacular first term, kicking the next three in a row from the Kangaroos' deep entries, beating the Bulldogs' Rory Lobb in one-on-one duels close to goal.

Larkey's run of three goals boosted North's confidence and the energy and pressure of his teammates lifted. 

Teams went goal-for-goal throughout an electric second term with neither team able to break the deadlock.

With in-form forward Darcy being well held, fellow forward Naughton became the most dangerous target for the Dogs inside 50. In the second term alone, Naughton had five scoring shots on goal, converting four and taking five marks.

A huge hip and shoulder between Cam Zurhaar and Richards at the start of the second half left Richards grimacing in pain and the Bulldogs' midfielder left the ground immediately and went straight down into the rooms for assessment. Remarkably, Richards returned later in the quarter and played out the game.

The Bulldogs' leaders lifted with Liberatore, Bontempelli, Dale and Richards wrestling back the momentum the Dogs' way and giving them a 22-point lead with a quarter remaining.

Darcy kicked three final-term goals to make it four for the night, while North could only manage one in the final term, a goal to young star Colby McKercher.

An injury to ruck Tristan Xerri prior to the final siren made things worse for North, with the star looking to have also left the ground with concussion.

Match Summary:

NORTH MELBOURNE     5.2    8.3     12.6     13.7 (85)
WESTERN BULLDOGS    4.2    10.4   15.10   20.14 (134)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Zurhaar 2, Curtis, Sheezel, Harvey, Maley, Hansen jnr, McKercher
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Darcy 4, English 2, Liberatore 2, Bontempelli 2, Dale 2, Vandermeer, Freijah, West

BEST
North Melbourne: McKercher, Xerri, Larkey, Sheezel, Powell
Western Bulldogs: Naughton, Richards, Liberatore, Kennedy, Dale

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke (concussion), Xerri (TBC)
Western Bulldogs: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Robert Hansen jnr (replaced Luke Davies-Uniacke in the second quarter)
Western Bulldogs: Lachlan McNeil (unused)

Crowd: 25,009 at Marvel Stadium