The Kangaroos won by 14 points, 2.11.11 (95) to 2.10.3 (81) but had to withstand a third-quarter blitz when the premiers, spearheaded by their blue-chip midfielders, fired a six-goal burst to reduce a 46-point deficit to seven.
However, the Roos held their nerve and never forfeited the lead with fourth-quarter goals to Todd Goldstein and Drew Petrie steadying the ship.
Ben Warren (one super goal, three goals) and Jack Ziebell (18 touches, four clearances), who is coming back from missing the second half of 2009 with severe leg injuries, were impressive.
Liam Anthony also shone with a smooth 38 touches.
Matt Campbell was effective at both ends of the ground, while Levi Greenwood showed glimpses of class. Robbie Tarrant successfully got through his first game after a few injury-ruined years.
Geelong had six players missing from its recent premiership side with Tom Harley (retired), Matthew Scarlett, Max Rooke, Paul Chapman, Brad Ottens and Darren Milburn - who was omitted from the extended squad - absent.
They also subbed midfielder Joel Corey off at half time after nine touches.
In place were debutants Dawson Simpson, Tom Allwright, Steven Motlop, Taylor Hunt, James Podsiadly and Mitch Duncan.
Duncan was the most prolific with 14 touches and two goals while Podsiadly kicked one goal.
Josh Hunt, playing his first game since rupturing his ACL in the NAB Cup grand final last year, got through with a 17-possession, one-goal game from defence.
The Roos stepped up in the second quarter to turn an eight-point deficit into an 18-point lead by half time.
A flurry of North goals, including Warren's nine-pointer, pushed the margin to 46 points before Cameron Mooney kicked the Cats' first in over a quarter 16 minutes into the third.
It started the challenge that threatened the Roos' chance of progressing to face the winner of the Fremantle v Melbourne clash next Sunday at Etihad Stadium in round two.
Geelong assistant coach Brenton Sanderson said Scarlett, Milburn, Chapman and possibly Ottens would play in the NAB Challenge match next weekend.
Geelong 1.2.1 1.4.2 2.9.2 2.10.3 (81)
North Melbourne 0.2.2 1.6.8 2.9.10 2.11.11 (95)
GOALS
Geelong: Nine-point goals: Hawkins, Selwood Goals: Mooney 3, Duncan 2, Hawkins, Bartel, Podsiadly, Varcoe, Johnson
North Melbourne: Nine-point goals: Campbell, Warren Goals: Warren 3, Petrie 2, Harding 2, Jones, Swallow, Adams, Goldstein
BEST
Geelong: Selwood, Enright, Ablett, Bartel, Kelly, Mooney, Ling
North Melbourne: Anthony, Warren, Petrie, Ziebell, Campbell, Greenwood, Lower
INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: McBurney, Wenn, McKenzie
Official crowd: 12,989 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
