The snarl of delight from coach Brad Scott and his high-fives at the final siren showed how much this meant to North Melbourne.
North, the side that fell over late so many times last season, came back to beat Port Adelaide, who had dominated the last term in their opening two wins.
The Kangaroos started slow and fell 20 points behind in the third term, but rallied brilliantly to beat the Power by seven points in the Sunday twilight game at Etihad Stadium.
Ageless veteran Brent Harvey sealed the result with the last goal of the match – a booming 50m-plus goal from a set shot.
The 14.13 (97) to 13.12 (90) win is a huge morale boost for North in a season where they aim to return to the top eight.
It follows their abysmal first-round performance against Essendon and a scrappy win last weekend over the Western Bulldogs.
Adding to Port’s pain, small forward Angus Monfries will be out for several weeks with a torn hamstring.
Melbourne’s woes continued earlier on Sunday as they earned the unwanted distinction of becoming the first team to lose to Greater Western Sydney twice.
The Giants broke free in the last quarter to beat the Demons by 32 points at Spotless Stadium.
The 10.19 (79) to 7.5 (47) result leaves the improving Giants 2-1 and Paul Roos still looking for his first win as Melbourne coach.
Collingwood and Richmond also need a win heading into their blockbuster this Friday night at the MCG.
They have one win from their opening three games after Saturday losses.
Geelong captain Joel Selwood was outstanding on Saturday night and Tom Hawkins kicked three vital last-goals in the 11-point win over the ‘Pies at the MCG.
Jamie Elliott starred for the ‘Pies with five goals, but Travis Cloke was scoreless and Dane Swan was again below his best in the 12.15 (87) to 11.10 (76) loss.
Richmond roared back in the second half, but the Western Bulldogs held on to win on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium, 15.10 (100) to 15.8 (98).
Hawthorn opened round three with a performance on Friday night that stamped them as the outright premiership favourites.
The Hawks opened the grand final rematch with six goals in 17 minutes – Fremantle had conceded only five goals apiece in their opening two games.
Hawthorn led by 75 points in the third term and eventually smashed the Dockers by 58.
St Kilda continue to impress under new coach Alan Richardson, pushing West Coast at Subiaco before going down by 25 points.
West Coast’s class and run prevailed, with the Eagles kicking seven of the last eight goals.
Adelaide and Brisbane suffered big losses on Saturday afternoon to continue their barren starts.
Sydney and Lance Franklin finally clicked in the 63-point hammering of the Crows, while Gary Ablett racked up another three Brownlow Medal votes as he led Gold Coast to a 53-point win over the Lions.
