North Melbourne recovers for 37-point win over St Kilda, keeping top four hopes alive

North Melbourne has recovered from a shaky first half to record a comfortable 37-point win over St Kilda at Bellerive Oval.

The Saints will be left to bemoan poor kicking at goal - particularly in the second quarter - that saw the visitors fail to take advantage of a dominant period before the Roos rallied to run out 18.12 (120) to 11.17 (83) winners.

St Kilda took a 20-point lead into the half-time break, but the game completely changed after the long change as Drew Petrie wielded his influence up forward and the midfielders began to influence the play.

The win puts the Kangaroos back above Adelaide in sixth and keeps their top four hopes alive, although they will be concerned about a possible suspension to Jack Ziebell, who was reported for a late hit to the head of Jack Newnes.