NORTH Melbourne's finals hopes suffered a crushing blow as Ryan Griffen gave a brilliant performance to lead Western Bulldogs to a confidence-boosting 18-point win on Sunday.

NORTH Melbourne ruckman Hamish McIntosh appears to have escaped a serious knee injury, after coming off second best in a collision against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

SEETHING North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has promised changes after his Kangaroos' finals aspirations were rocked by their shock loss to the Western Bulldogs.