NORTH Melbourne has hung on for a thrilling one-point win against Fremantle at Optus Stadium in controversial circumstances, with the Dockers pipped of an opportunity to kick for the game by the final siren.

Trailing by one point in the dying seconds, the Dockers could have been awarded a free kick in goalscoring range after a clearing kick from the Kangaroos' goal line, that would have been adjudicated as insufficient intent. 

DOCKERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

But it was judged that the final siren sounded before the ball crossed the line, meaning Fremantle did not have the opportunity to kick for the game, with North prevailing 11.7 (73) to 10.12 (72). 

The Kangaroos deserved to win after leading at every change and getting out to a 20-point lead with six minutes to play after star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke capped his best afield performance with a 50m goal. 

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But back-to-back goals for Fremantle midfielder Jaeger O'Meara and a scrappy major on the goal line from key defender Brennan Cox cut the margin to one point in the dying minutes. 

The Dockers looked close on multiple occasions to rushing the ball over for a score-levelling behind, but North Melbourne's defence stood tall and was rewarded with a gutsy win that gives last year's wooden spooner's a 2-0 start to the season. 

Fremantle, meanwhile, is 0-2 after starting the year with high expectations and heading into a must-win Western Derby against West Coast next Sunday with patchy form and issues to address.  

For the second week in a row, the Dockers lacked connection between their midfielders and forwards, struggling to hit targets inside 50 and get into attacking chains through the middle. 

The Kangaroos moved the ball much better, with key forward Nick Larkey reaping the rewards with four goals. 

Davies-Uniacke (30 and 11 clearances) was a match-winner in the middle, while Cam Zurhaar (26 and six) gave the Kangaroos a dynamic option midfield and forward, with the Roos winning the clearances 44-31. 

Rising Star nominee Harry Sheezel backed up his brilliant debut with 30 disposals and nine rebound 50s. 

Nothing came easy for Fremantle in the first half as North Melbourne applied excellent pressure and forced turnovers both in the midfield and in its own front half. 

The result was four unanswered goals to start the match, three of those as the direct result of Dockers turnovers, racing to a 22-point lead as the home team struggled to get a foot hold in the game. 

Small forward Sam Switkowski broke the run when he crumbed skilfully, broke a tackle and ran inside 50 to convert a much-needed running goal. 

While they showed intent to move the ball in a more attacking manner to round one, there were repeated skill errors from Justin Longmuir's men and they couldn't give their key forwards clean opportunities. 

When Matt Taberner did get on the end of an attacking chain through the corridor, he took too long to take his set shot and was forced to rush his kick, which fell short. 

Freo cut the margin to three points during the third quarter, but the Roos always seemed to have the answer, with Curtis Taylor and Jaiden Stephenson stepping up to kick important goals. 

Clutch goalkicking from Larkey in the fourth quarter gave the visitors the gap they needed before the Dockers mounted their best challenge, which ultimately came too late.  

Logue's sweet homecoming 
Returning to Optus Stadium and facing his former club for the first time was weighing on North Melbourne recruit Griffin Logue. He was a long shot to get the four points, but it turned out to be the perfect homecoming for the important key defender. There were boos from the crowd and a bit of push and shove from his former teammates, many of whom he is close with. But when it mattered on Saturday, Logue got the job done, winning plenty of one-on-one contests against former housemate Matt Taberner.  

Son-son breaks through the clouds 
There's a reason Fremantle fans love Michael Walters like few other players in their history, and it was captured late in the third quarter after the small forward was substituted into the match. Walters ran with the flight and dove desperately to take a mark in the pocket, converting his snap set shot and attempting to lift his team out of its slump. Walters wears his heart on his sleeve and was the shot of energy the Dockers needed in his return from an Achilles injury. It just wasn't enough.  

Captains make history before the bounce
Alex Pearce and Jy Simpkin became just the second pair of First Nations players to captain opposing AFL sides on Saturday, marking the significant occasion at the coin toss. The first pair of skippers were Gavin Wanganeen and Michael Long, who led Port Adelaide and Essendon respectively on two occasions, in 1998 and 2000. Former Fremantle star Stephen Hill was present for the coin toss, alongside Jett Sibosado, who is a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.  

FREMANTLE                    2.3   3.6   6.8   10.12 (72) 
NORTH MELBOURNE  4.1   5.2   8.6   11.7 (73) 

GOALS
Fremantle: Walters 2, O'Meara 2, Banfield, Brodie, Cox, Frederick, Schultz, Switkowski
North Melbourne: Larkey 4, Taylor 2, Stephenson 2, Davies-Uniacke, Powell, Simpkin

BEST
Fremantle: Brayshaw, Aish, Switkowski, Serong 
North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Sheezel, Zurhaar, Simpkin, Logue, Corr

INJURIES 
Fremantle: Nil 
North Melbourne: Nil  

LATE CHANGES
Fremantle: Nat Fyfe (foot) replaced in the selected side by Jye Amiss 
North Melbourne: Nil  

SUBSTITUTES 
Fremantle: Michael Walters (replaced Taberner in the third quarter) 
North Melbourne: Daniel Howe (replaced Paul Curtis in the third quarter) 

Crowd: 40,487 at Optus Stadium