North Melbourne lifted after a slow start to celebrate Brent Harvey's 300th match with a 16-point win over West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

The Kangaroos were 24 points down early in the second quarter against the wooden spooners, but booted six of the next eight goals, including five straight, to hit the front for the first time early in the third quarter and ran away in the last to win 16.14 (110) to 14.10 (94).

Harvey was tagged tightly by Pat McGinnity from the outset but still picked up 26 possessions in front of more than 40 of his family and friends who travelled to Perth to celebrate with him.

While disappointed finals weren't on offer after Hawthorn beat Fremantle in Launceston, milestone man Harvey paid tribute to his teammates for making it a memorable day.

"When it becomes out of your control you can't do too much and sure we would have liked Fremantle to beat Hawthorn, but we have to be in a situation where the destiny is in our own hands and unfortunately it wasn't," Harvey said.

"I still think the boys' effort wouldn't have changed one bit whether there was a chance of making the finals or not. I know I played a milestone, but this was about the four points and I can't remember the last time we won over here."

Andrew Swallow was outstanding with 27 disposals and three goals with Brad Rawlings also picking up 28, Daniel Wells 23, Ryan Bastinac 22 and Michael Firrito 21.

The forward-line worked well with Sam Wright kicking four goals and Ben Warren and Aaron Edwards three each.

Callum Wilson showed that he's got more to offer up-forward for West Coast than Quinten Lynch, Ben McKinley or Ashley Hansen by kicking four goals in just his sixth AFL game.

Coach John Worsfold was happier with his team's output despite the record eighth straight home loss.

"It was a pretty intense effort and I was fairly happy with the way the players went about it in the end," Worsfold said.

"There were some promising signs again from young players and our two old players (Cox and Embley) stood up and tried to lead the way. The kids got in behind them and had a real crack."

The game became briefly heated just before quarter-time when Eagle Beau Waters laid a big shepherd on Leigh Adams.

He was reported and, while Adams did return in the second half, he copped another blow that put him off with the blood rule.

West Coast took advantage of a slightly flat North Melbourne with four goals to one in the first quarter and held control early in the second stretching their lead to 24, but North Melbourne finally kicked into gear and trailed by just two points by half-time.

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