Seven goals to Cameron Mooney and a brilliant performance from Gary Ablett allowed Geelong to withstand a gallant North Melbourne in a high-class AFL clash at the Telstra Dome.

The Cats prevailed 19.13 (127) to 17.12 (114) in an entertaining, high-intensity match.

It was the first match between the two sides since Geelong thrashed North by 106 points in last year's finals series.

The Kangaroos, missing several key players through injury and down by 22 points at quarter-time, showed a huge amount of grit to battle their way back into the match.

While they never hit the front, they climbed to within two points early in the second half and were still within eight points in time-on of a gripping final term.

Fittingly, Mooney kicked the sealer, recovering from a marking contest to gather the ball and rush into an open goalsquare for his seventh and the final goal of the match.

He had proved too strong all night for opponents Michael Firrito and Scott Thompson in one of the major differences in the contest.

It was one of just four goals in an arm-wrestle of a final quarter, after the two teams had kicked 32 between them in the preceding three quarters.

Ablett was outstanding, finishing with 39 touches and two goals, including a beautiful snap late in the first term.

He had earlier set the game up for the Cats with an opening quarter of incredible dominance, when he picked up 14 touches and was involved in setting up most of Geelong's seven goals.

The Kangaroos lifted their game in the midfield after quarter time, with Brady Rawlings moving onto Ablett and slightly quelling his influence, although he was still a major factor in the second half.

Brent Harvey was a standout for North with his tireless work over the length of the ground, as well as two goals, including a brilliant snap over his head in the second quarter.

Captain Adam Simpson and Daniel Harris also performed well against a strong Cats midfield to help their side back into the game.

Up forward, big man David Hale kicked four goals, including his side's only two goals of the final term.

It was an important contribution, given North lost key forwards Nathan Thompson and Corey Jones to injury in the lead-up to the match.

Fellow big forward Drew Petrie also performed admirably across half-forward, throwing himself into contests, but he let himself down with his kicking, finishing with 2.4.

Small forwards Matt Campbell (three goals) and Lindsay Thomas (two goals) were also threatening.

Both sides suffered injuries, with Geelong fullback Matthew Scarlett spending the second half on the bench with a hamstring injury, a loss that made it difficult for the Cats against the 'Roos big forwards.

Daniel Pratt appeared to hurt his right shoulder in the third quarter, and while he played out the game after a short spell on the bench, he still appeared troubled.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said he was simply happy to go away with a win, after being more hard-pressed than in previous recent meetings with the 'Roos.

"We couldn't shake them, goals were pretty easy to come by for both teams, they conceded a few easy goals and so did we," Thompson said.

"It was a weird sort of game, but in the end, the last two times we've played the North Melbourne Football Club we've beaten them by a lot.

"So we always knew they would come out (hard) and they never give up and they didn't tonight.

"To walk away with the victory is really the only thing that matters and we're happy with the victory."

Thompson said he was happy with the way the Cats' defence held up without Scarlett in the second half, but he was also likely to be missing next weekend against Port Adelaide, which would be another test for the backmen.

Kangaroos coach Dean Laidley said he took pride in his team's performance despite the loss.

"We're not happy we lost the game, but I was proud of the way the players took it on board and backed themselves," Laidley said.

"We had 11 players under 60 games (experience), we had nine different from our preliminary final performance and all the players that we've brought in, they're our future.

"I'm sure every supporter who came along to the game tonight would be very, very proud, as I am, with the way they went about it."

Laidley was unsure of the extent of Pratt's shoulder injury.

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