A fierce quarter-time "bake" from coach Dean Laidley and two unusual free kicks proved decisive in North Melbourne's 13-point AFL win over Fremantle.

The Dockers' woeful Etihad Stadium form continued on Saturday as they blew a 26-point lead at the first break while North showed plenty of spirit in their 14.14 (98) to 12.13 (85) win.

While Laidley praised the Kangaroos' reaction to his raised voice, Dockers coach Mark Harvey was left lamenting another barren road trip.

The Dockers now have just one win in their last 11 games at the venue.

Harvey will also have further contact with umpires director Jeff Gieschen after a 19-9 free-kick count in North's favour.

Laidley put the post-first quarter turnaround to his side winning more contested possessions - an area of concern he had rammed home at the first break.

"Did you hear me, from where you were sitting? It was pretty loud," he said.

"I spoke about contested ball, I just spoke about (their) attack on the ball.

"That's probably the first time I've raised my voice all year and it had an effect.

"So if you can keep a few of them up your sleeve - you don't want to be doing it all the time, though."

North also made a crucial move with Daniel Wells going from half-back to half-forward and swapping positions with youngster Jack Ziebell.

The pair gave the Kangaroos plenty of spark and North had reduced the margin to 11 points just before half-time, when the first of the two key free kicks happened.

Dockers defender Chris Tarrant was penalised for his contact with Drew Petrie, just as Fremantle were kicking out, and David Hale goalled from the relayed free kick to make the margin only five points at the main break.

The second free was even more crucial and followed a 17-minute period in the third term where no goals were scored.

The Dockers were leading by six points when defender Steven Dodd, under pressure, handballed a rushed behind.

He became only the second player after North's Daniel Pratt to be penalised for a deliberate rushed behind under the rule introduced this season.

Aaron Edwards goalled to level the score, sparking a four-goal surge that gave North a 19-point lead early in the final term.

Laidley applauded the Dodd decision but Harvey was far from convinced either of the free kicks in question should have been paid.

"It's very hard, when you're fatigued and you're in the game, to know what's going on around you all the time," Harvey said in defence of Dodd.

"That assumption can always be difficult to judge, I think.

"There was another interesting one just before halftime, too."

Hale kicked five goals and tall utility Drew Petrie impressed, while Dockers onballer Paul Hasleby had a game-high 26 possessions.

Luke McPharlin kicked four goals for Fremantle as captain Matthew Pavlich contributed three although Laidley praised defender Josh Gibson for his efforts after he went onto Pavlich.

In-form Dockers ruckman Aaron Sandlilands had a whopping 43 hitouts as Fremantle won the category 52-15, but Harvey agreed his side did not exploit that advantage.

The Dockers lost defender Roger Hayden with a calf muscle injury in his 100th game.

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