Talk about picking up where you left off.

Nearly three months on from the club's brave come-from-behind round one victory, North Melbourne again displayed its trademark character and grit to cause a plucky boilover and overcome premiership contenders Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Five unanswered goals on either side of three-quarter time provided the foundations for the victory, with Shaun Higgins producing a masterful midfield display as the Kangaroos charged home to win 12.8 (80) to 8.12 (60) at GIANTS Stadium.

Higgins (28 disposals, six clearances) was the game's most influential midfielder and led from the front as the visitors stunned the GIANTS, with youngster Cameron Zurhaar (11 disposals, three goals) doing the bulk of the damage in attack.

The defeated GIANTS were best served by skipper Stephen Coniglio (19 disposals, 10 tackles) who battled hard all day, Lachie Whitfield (19 disposals) had his moments on the wing and former captain Callan Ward (21 disposals, one goal) emerged unscathed in his return from a knee reconstruction. 

It continued North Melbourne's unbeaten start to the season after it overcame St Kilda with a shock comeback earlier in the year, with Rhyce Shaw's side now in a prime position to build on a campaign full of promise.

In a low-scoring contest – which saw just four goals kicked between the two sides in the first half – successive GIANTS goals after the main break had created a 12-point buffer midway through the third term, as the hosts threatened to kick clear for the first time in the match.

But a typically gritty Kangaroos side responded with three straight majors to reclaim the advantage by three-quarter time, then another two consecutive goals after the final change to completely secure control over the contest.

The hosts continued to apply pressure in the dying stages of the contest, but each time North Melbourne responded to walk away with an emphatic and satisfying win on the road.