NORTH Melbourne has kept its top-four hopes alive with a sterling 32-point win over fellow double-chance aspirant Collingwood.

The Pies' defence had been their strongest line this season, but the Roos found too many options in attack in the accurate 9.3 (57) to 4.1 (25) victory.

Chloe Molloy opened Collingwood's account in the first few minutes, converting a set shot, but Bella Eddey soon followed suit as the Roos roared to life, increasing their tackle pressure after a sleepy start.

MAGPIES v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Sabrina Frederick's overhead marking in slippery conditions was a clear standout, and the Roos arguably needed two Tahlia Randalls – one at either end – to help manage the Pie.

North Melbourne snatched the upper hand in the midfield in the second term, opening the floodgates for an astonishing five goals in 16 minutes. For so long, inaccuracy and an inability to convert inside 50s has been an issue for the Roos, but that was forgotten as the scoreboard ticked over.

Unsurprisingly, one of the Pies' best in Ruby Schleicher spent most of that second term receiving treatment on a hip issue, and the forward line was losing shape in the rare times the team went into attack, particularly following the late withdrawal of Ash Brazill.

Coach Steve Symonds said Schleicher had copped a knock to her hip, and could have returned late in the fourth term, but with a six-day break the Pies chose to be cautious, while Brazill had pulled up sore after training.

An Eliza James buzzer-beating snap was just what the Pies needed right before half-time, but the Roos were 25 points up at the main break.

The Magpies came out with fire in the second half but were unable to take full reward of their efforts, slotting one goal via a sharp Tarni Brown crumb.

Collingwood co-captain Steph Chiocci nearly kicked a stunning goal on the boundary in the third term – touched by Kim Rennie on the line while Al Downie celebrated – and finally got her major at the start of the fourth with a curling snap.

In the past, the Roos would have wilted under pressure, but this is seemingly a side made of sterner stuff, and they kicked clear to wrap up the win.

Molloy (20 disposals and four clearances) and Jaimee Lambert (18 and four) fought hard in the midfield throughout the game, but once again, Jas Garner (26 and four) was a class above, and Emma Kearney (12, 350m gained) dictated play from defence.

The great Wall of Arden Street
The hype around the dynamic Irish recruit was high coming into the season, but Vikki Wall is not just delivering, she's filling a crucial role for North Melbourne. Wall is proving to be a vital cog at centre-half forward, not just strong aerially, but just as dangerous at ground level. She was more than a handful for the Pies.

The ladder now
Barring a thumping Richmond win on Sunday, Collingwood will still finish the round in fourth spot, but is vulnerable to losing it next week with a defeat from Brisbane. North Melbourne is now just one win adrift of the vital double-chance, drawing level with Geelong (and the Tigers for now) on games won.

Say what?
"Losing a game is never enjoyable, but we showed some signs late in the game that we still have some fight in us, which was good. We just lost our method there in the second quarter, and North got on a roll. We got the momentum back after half-time, reset and got things going, and in the second half we were competitive, but just in that moment there the defence fell down." – Collingwood coach Steve Symonds

"That's the best footy (in the second term) I think we've played since I've been in the program. We talked about our ball movement, but it all came together in that moment, and we saw what a dangerous team we can be when we bring our identity." – North Melbourne coach Darren Crocker

Up next
Collingwood rounds out its home and away season with the toughest test of all, taking on Brisbane at Metricon Stadium, while North Melbourne face a tricky round 10 against Richmond at Arden Street.

COLLINGWOOD             1.0     2.0     3.1     4.1     (25)   
NORTH MELBOURNE    1.1     6.1     7.2     9.3     (57)

GOALS
Collingwood: Molloy, James, Brown, Chiocci
North Melbourne: Granville 2, Randall 2, Eddey, E.King, Garner, Wall, O'Loughlin

BEST 
Collingwood: Lambert, Molloy, Livingstone, Allen, Butler
North Melbourne: Garner, Kearney, Wall, M.King, Rennie

INJURIES 
Collingwood: Schleicher (hip)
North Melbourne: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Collingwood: Ash Brazill (adductor) replaced in selected side by Imogen Evans
North Melbourne: Sophie Abbatangelo (illness) replaced in selected side by Charli Granville