So often criticised for underperforming, North Melbourne's Daniel Wells and Aaron Edwards emphatically answered their team's SOS in a 41-point AFL win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Wells' midfield brilliance and six goals to Edwards steered the Kangaroos to a 19.10 (124) to 12.11 (83) win over the Demons - North conjuring a 72-point turnaround to do so.

Slow to start and in desperate trouble midway through the first quarter as they trailed by 31 points, the Kangaroos produced a vital victory - just their second of the year.

It was three second quarter goals from Edwards, who booted 10 goals in the reserves last week, and his ferocious tackling which brought the Kangaroos back into a contest they had looked destined to lose.

The much-scrutinised Wells also had a massive impact as his team wallowed, with 29 touches and three goals after a quiet first quarter.

Their heroics - as well as Todd Goldstein controlling the ruck - helped the Kangaroos trail by only seven points at halftime.

Edwards goaled just 30 seconds into the third quarter to signal a full momentum shift after Melbourne's first quarter domination.

The 27-year-old had his fifth soon after in an eight goals to two burst from the Kangaroos as they built a 21-point lead by three-quarter-time.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott was thrilled with the duo's performances.

Particularly Wells - the No.2 draft pick who silenced those who have knocked his input over his nine AFL seasons.

"He's been fantastic for us this year, and you don't often hear crowd noise in the box but when he won the ball a couple of times, the North supporters got behind him which was really good," Scott said.

"They've got to support him because he's a terrific player ... I've often said he can't live up to people's expectations because they're unachievable.

"He's getting to where we both know he can and I think he can be a genuinely elite player, and he's starting to show that now."

Fittingly Wells and Edwards combined to ice the game early in the fourth term.

Wells' 60-metre torpedo out of defence found Edwards, who sent skipper Brent Harvey on the way to his third goal, giving the Kangaroos an unassailable lead.

Addam Maric finished with three goals for the Demons, as did Liam Jurrah.

The Dees have three wins and a draw from their seven games, and more injury worries.

Melbourne were reduced to just one fit bench player by the final change after injuries to Colin Garland (ankle), Liam Jurrah (leg) and Rohan Bail (knee).

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP