SIX-GOAL hero Ben Brown helped North Melbourne avoid another last-quarter horror show to snap its five-game season losing streak on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium.

The Kangaroos took a seven-point lead into the final term and overcame some mental demons to register the 16.11 (107) to 14.10 (94) victory over the Gold Coast in front of a crowd of 15,341.

Full match report and stats

Brown kicked two majors in almost as many minutes in the fourth quarter – the first after a questionable free kick against Brandon Matera for a throw – to bring up his first career five-goal haul.

WATCH: Brown's career-best bag

The lead blew out to 24 points once the recalled Jed Anderson blasted through his first from close range, also after a free kick.

Callum Ah Chee gave the Suns hope with his second goal of the night, but Brown's sixth, from the goal square after a string of handballs, gave North the breathing space it needed.

Five talking points: Roos v Suns

The Roos three times coughed up five-goal leads this season to lose by five points or fewer and had also conceded at least five majors in the final quarter in each of the opening five rounds.

"It was good reward, not just for the effort tonight but the first six weeks of the season," North coach Brad Scott said.

"We've certainly played better this year than we did tonight, but the result went our way, so it obviously makes you feel a fair bit better.

"I'm really pleased for everyone involved … even though it won't be one we probably look back on and think, 'Gee, we were fantastic tonight', but we did what we had to do to win."

It wasn't all good news for North, with the Match Review Panel likely to take a long look at skipper Jack Ziebell's second-quarter bump on Matera.

Gary Ablett (45 disposals and a career-high 18 clearances) put on a midfield masterclass, doing everything but carry the Suns to a fourth win in five matches against the blue and white.

North kicked three of the last four goals of the first half to snatch a two-point lead, only for the Suns – through Michael Barlow and Matera – to be back in front inside six minutes of the third term.

But the Roos responded again, and there was no better moment to illustrate the changing momentum than Marley Williams catching Ablett in a tackle 15 metres out from goal.

Williams managed a similar rundown a week earlier, late in the five-point loss to Fremantle, so was at least rewarded this time around.

Shaun Higgins (28 possessions), back after being a late withdrawal last week because of a hamstring injury, was pivotal with his line-breaking dash and sublime skills in what was an at-times haphazard contest.

Nathan Hrovat (22), Ziebell (24) – after a quiet opening quarter – and impressive youngster Taylor Garner (23) also did their bit.

Gold Coast was a man down from early in the second quarter, when Matt Rosa, in his desperation to win a ball on the wing, collected his head on a North opponent's knee.

Tom Lynch booted three goals in an entertaining duel with veteran Roos defender Scott Thompson, who took the honours after half time.

"We just shot ourselves in the foot. I was proud of their effort, proud of their courage," Suns coach Rodney Eade told reporters.

"I thought some players were unbelievable in what they had to do against big odds, but we just shot ourselves in the foot with our ball use.

"The turning point was probably Jarryd Lyons missing that goal (at the start of the fourth term) and then they kicked the next three."

In-form Roos onballer Ben Cunnington's 150th match was such a nightmare that his statistical tally was revised from two to one at half-time to recognise a disposal-less second term.

His first kick, at the 30-minute mark of the third term, went straight to an opponent and he finished with only 12 touches.

Cunnington entered the match averaging 27.8 possessions and started next to Ablett at the first bounce, but they had contrasting nights.

The hard-nut Roo was on and off the bench, whereas Ablett – whether setting up goals, taking strong marks or clearing the ball – was outstanding even while North made its third-quarter charge.

MEDICAL ROOM
North Melbourne: The Roos came through unscathed and could have some reinforcements back next week.

Gold Coast: Separate accidental knees to the head saw Matt Rosa (second quarter) and Aaron Hall (fourth) leave the match for good. Late withdrawal Kade Kolodjashnij should be right for next week after falling ill on Wednesday and not making the trip south.

NEXT UP
North's bid for back-to-back wins will see it travel to Tasmania to 'host' unbeaten ladder-leader Adelaide on Saturday, while the Suns welcome Geelong to the Gold Coast that night as they seek a third triumph.

NORTH MELBOURNE   3.4   7.8   12.9   16.11 (107)
GOLD COAST                   4.4   7.6   11.8   14.10 (94)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Brown 6, Hrovat 2, Gibson, Turner, Higgins, Simpkin, Williams, Hansen, Anderson, McDonald
Gold Coast: Lynch 3, Wright 2, Matera 2, Barlow 2, Ah Chee 2, Sexton, Ablett, Bowes

BEST 
North Melbourne: Brown, Higgins, Ziebell, Garner, Tarrant, Mullett
Gold Coast: Ablett, Sexton, Lynch, Miller

INJURIES 
North Melbourne: Nil
Gold Coast: Kade Kolodjashnij (illness) replaced in the selected side by Matt Shaw, Matt Rosa (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Donlon, Williamson, Pannell

Official crowd: 15,431 at Etihad Stadium