NORTH Melbourne's finals hopes have received a huge boost with a 54-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Kangaroos got off to a flying start to lead by six goals at quarter time, and though Fremantle cut the margin to 11 points at the main break, they were never headed on their way to the 19.9 (123) to 10.9 (69) result.

While North's September dream edges closer, Fremantle's prospects of finishing in the top four are looking shaky.

Brady Rawlings starred for North, gathering 39 possessions and shutting the dangerous Stephen Hill right out of the game. Held to seven touches, Hill's impact was minimal.

Captain Brent Harvey was prolific around the ground, finishing with 34 disposals and three goals, while Daniel Wells was significant as a rebounding defender and occasionally ventured forward.

Dylan Roberton played a similar role for Fremantle and was one of his side's best players, and though fellow youngster Nathan Fyfe was also busy he too often ignored his first option and took too long to dispose of the ball.

Sam Wright and Ryan Bastinac, who booted three of the seven first-term goals, also shone for the winners.

Nathan Grima did a superb job in defence on Matthew Pavlich, with Fremantle far too predictable in going to him every time it ventured forward.

It missed the injured Hayden Ballantyne, just as it did Chris Tarrant and Aaron Sandilands. Tarrant left his side undersized in the back half and Sandilands' absence allowed Hamish McIntosh and Todd Goldstein to set up the play in the ruck.

However, Antoni Grover played above himself in defence and got the better of taller opponents McIntosh and Goldstein when they drifted into attack.

Fremantle recovered from its slow start to kick six goals to two in the second term but the home side set things straight in the third, booting six goals to one.

North Melbourne    7.2   9.5   15.8   19.9 (123)
Fremantle     1.2   7.6   8.7   10.9 (69)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Harvey 3, Wright 3, Bastinac 3, McIntosh 2, Edwards 2, Hansen 2, Goldstein, Wells, Adams, Thomas
Fremantle: de Boer 2, Hasleby 2, Mundy 2, Fyfe, Bollenhagen, Johnson, Bradley

BEST
North Melbourne: Rawlings, McIntosh, Harvey, Goldstein, Garlett, Wells, Bastinac, Edwards
Fremantle: Roberton, Broughton, Duffield, Hasleby, Grover, Mundy

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Fremantle: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Nicholls, Kamolins, Ryan

Official crowd: 14,891 at Etihad Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.