The Western Bulldogs have gone down to reigning premiers North Melbourne by 47 points at UTAS Stadium in Launceston. 

A Dogs' spirited start saw just a point separating the two sides at quarter-time, before the Kangaroos flexed their muscles with eight of the next nine goals to run out 11.4 (70) to 3.5 (23) winners.

The previously undefeated Dogs slipped to their first loss of the season, despite the best efforts of Isabelle Pritchard (21 touches), Jess Fitzgerald (22) and Jasmyn Smith (18).

Both teams couldn't muster an opening goal amid fierce pressure until the stalemate was broken with about two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

The Dogs produced a fast break from half-back and Sarah Hartwig was the end link in the goal-scoring chain.

The Kangaroos replied almost instantly with towering Emma King using her height for a strong mark, followed by accurate conversion.

North led 1.2 to 1.1 at quarter-time and then made the decisive break, kicking three goals to one to seize momentum and create a 14-point half-time edge.

The powerhouses steamed further away in the third quarter to hold a 30-point advantage at three-quarter time, before cruising to victory.

NORTH MELBOURNE    1.2    4.3    7.3   11.4 (70)
WESTERN BULLDOGS   1.1    2.1    2.3   3.5 (23)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Shierlaw 2, O'Loughlin 2, Bogue 2, Tripodi, Randall, King, Garner, Craven
Western Bulldogs: McDonald, Hartwig, Georgostathis

BEST
North Melbourne: Garner, Shierlaw, Riddell, Tripodi, Randall
Western Bulldogs: Pritchard, Gutknecht, Fitzgerald, Edmonds

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Crowd: TBC at UTAS Stadium