A wasteful West Coast has surrendered a final-quarter lead to lose by 10 points in a scrappy game against North Melbourne in Bunbury on Sunday.
The Eagles led by 18 points early in the fourth quarter in an 'away' game at Hands Oval, but the Roos lifted to boot the final three goals of the game to win 9.8 (62) to 6.16 (52).
Forward Cam Zurhaar took a brilliant pack mark and converted to give his team the lead in the final minutes, with captain Jy Simpkin icing the game with 43 seconds to play when he snapped on the run.
It was a bottom-of-the-table clash that at times reflected the ladder positions of the two teams, but North's ability to lift in the fourth quarter was ultimately rewarded as they moved ahead of 17th-placed Richmond and put a buffer between themselves and the last-placed Eagles.
The Eagles would be kicking themselves after doing so much right to get themselves in a winning position.
Ultimately their inability to covert in an incredibly wasteful performance cost them what would have been their second win this season.
After booting 0.5 in the first quarter, the Eagles made their move through the middle stages and kicked four unanswered goals either side of half-time. They could have sealed victory in the third quarter but were again wasteful, kicking 4.6 and leaving the door ajar for the Roos.
Alastair Clarkson's team dominated inside 50s (17-8) and clearances (15-4) in the final term and created several opportunities, with Finn O'Sullivan getting them rolling before Zac Fisher missed a couple of chances.
With Charlie Comben intercepting, Caleb Daniel distributing and Paul Curtis converting early, the Roos broke away to a three-goal lead and looked in control, flooding their defensive half when needed as the inaccurate Eagles went goalless to quarter-time.
Roos ruck Tristan Xerri was a standout with 22 disposals, 37 hitouts and 10 clearances, setting the tone early and giving his team a 13-5 clearance advantage in the first quarter.
The Eagles adjusted in the second and got themselves back in the game through excellent pressure and efficient tackling, but they could not take full toll on the scoreboard as players racked up misses, including some that didn't score.
Impressive young forward Jack Williams finally converted to give the Eagles their first goal 20 minutes into the second quarter and from their 34th inside 50.
Their best period came early in the third term as Elijah Hewett, Liam Ryan and Williams all took chances, with Tom Cole later kicking just the fifth goal of his career when he launched a 50m set shot.
Tyler Brockman, whose move into the midfield has been a success, extended the lead to 16 points early in the fourth quarter with a brilliant snap from the pocket, but the pressure that had given the Eagles their lead dissipated thereafter as the Roos made the game-defining charge.
Full-back Harry Edwards could hold his head high, keeping gun Kangaroos spearhead Nick Larkey goalless and regularly intercepting North's attacking thrusts in arguably his best career performance.
Reuben Ginbey, Sandy Brock and Tom Cole also produced strong defensive efforts, with the latter kicking the fifth goal of his career during the third term.
West Coast returns to Optus Stadium to take on Carlton next Sunday before the bye.
NORTH MELBOURNE 3.2 3.3 5.3 9.8 (62)
WEST COAST 0.5 1.8 5.14 6.16 (52)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Curtis 3, Simpkin 2, Zurhaar 2, O'Sullivan, Parker
West Coast: J.Williams 2, Brockman, Cole, Hewett, Ryan
BEST
North Melbourne: Xerri, McKercher, Simpkin, Daniel, Curtis, Sheezel, McDonald
West Coast: Edwards, Baker, Hewett, Graham, Duggan, Brockman
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Comben (back)
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Robert Hansen Jnr (replaced Charlie Comben in the third quarter)
West Coast: Bo Allan (replaced Archer Reid in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: approx 12,000 at Hands Oval
