North Melbourne have notched a confidence boosting come-from-behind 11-point victory over Sydney in a feisty AFL pre-season clash in Hobart.
The Kangaroos were strong early and late in the 14.6 (90) to 12.7 (79) win at Kingston Twin Ovals on Monday afternoon, leaving the Swans without trial success following their 94-point hiding at the hands of GWS last week.
In his first pre-season appearance for North Melbourne, big gun Shaun Higgins had 31 touches and two goals in a leading performance.
Skipper Jack Ziebell made a tentative return from a lingering off-season calf injury, picking up just seven touches in the first half before being put on ice at the main break.
Forward Nick Larkey copped a flying knee to stomach but recovered to kick three majors.
Several scuffles broke out early, with 14 free kicks awarded in a heated first term.
North Melbourne booted the first three goals of the match to open up a 30-18 quarter-time lead.
Sydney pulled ahead in a five-goal-to-one second term for a 51-37 lead at the main break but North came back as the match went tit-for-tat in the last quarter.
The Swans face a nervous wait over the round one availability of Will Hayward, who may earn the ire of the match review panel for a high shot on Curtis Taylor in the first quarter.
Midfielder Josh Kennedy was ultra impressive in the first half, notching 23 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six tackles and a goal.
He finished with a game-high 37 touches, while Tom Papley booted four goals.
North Melbourne, who went down to the Bulldogs by 44 points last week, face a tough away trip to Brisbane in round one while the Swans host Essendon.