The loss was the Swans’ third in the opening four games of the 2014 season, the club’s worst start to a season since 2006.
The match was an arm-wrestle in the first half, with both sides getting plenty of the ball, but the Swans wasted opportunities going forward with Lance Franklin the sole forward option. North Melbourne held a one-goal lead at the long break.
The intensity turned up a notch in the third term, but the Kangaroos used the ball better going forward to build a 19-point lead at three-quarter time, before kicking away in the final term to record a 43-point win.
Clearly frustrated after the side’s first loss to the Kangaroos since early 2007, Swans coach John Longmire said his team failed to execute the basics against North Melbourne.
"Some of the basics of the game, particularly in the conditions – we over handballed too much too early and went the other way when it dried up," he said.
"Things like leaving the ball over the back, just a basic part of the game in the conditions like they were today that we didn't get right and paid the price for.
"Also we didn't use the ball to the level we know we can and should, but that all gets back to that general pressure and hardness.
"It's amazing how well we use the ball when we get that up to the level we need it."
Josh Kennedy relished the wet conditions to finish the match as the Swans’ best player with 33 possessions and eight tackles, while defender Jeremy Laidler booted two goals.
Sydney Swans 2.1 3.7 4.9 6.12 (48)
North Melbourne 3.4 4.7 7.10 13.13 (91)
Best: Kennedy, McVeigh, McGlynn, Laidler, Parker, Jack
Goals: Laidler 2, Grundy, Jack, McVeigh, O'Keefe
Official crowd: 25,505 at SCG
Brownlow Medal votes: Josh Kennedy 1
Bob Skilton Medal votes: Ben McGlynn 31, Josh Kennedy 25, Nick Smith 25, Rampe 20
