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A breakout performance from youngster Eden Zanker has helped Melbourne to a come-from-behind two-point win over North Melbourne in their AFLW opener.

Melbourne have celebrated Daisy Pearce's return in style, defeating North Melbourne by two points in their AFLW opener at Casey Fields.

Young forward Eden Zanker - who booted one goal and created another - sparked Saturday afternoon's come-from-behind win for the Demons, who prevailed 3.4 (22) to 3.2 (20) in a see-sawing affair.

Melbourne had won just one of three previous season openers and coach Mick Stinear emphasised the importance of four early points.

"It gives the group a bit of belief and this takes a little bit of pressure off," he said.

"Obviously, we're going to focus on next week now but you're not chasing a win and that's not your focus.

"It allows you just to keep focusing on improvement without that pressure building up because, previously when we've lost, that pressure just continues to build."

Kangaroos midfielders Jasmine Garner (18 disposals), Emma Kearney (20 touches) and Ashleigh Riddell (also 20) were superb, while Melbourne on-ballers Karen Paxman and Elise O'Dea (15 disposals apiece) were excellent.

Demons defender Libby Birch starred, while Kate Hore (two goals) shone in attack in front of 3500 fans.

The Kangaroos drew first blood and took a 13-point lead into quarter-time.

Kaitlyn Ashmore caught Sinead Goldrick holding the ball and converted her banana kick effort to open the scoring, with Elisha King slotting the Kangaroos' second from a 50m penalty.

Hore inspired Melbourne in the second term, catching Brittany Gibson holding the ball and steering through her set shot.

Minutes after Zanker ran off the ground clutching her arm, the young Demon returned to play a crucial role.

Tegan Cunningham dispossessed Danielle Hardiman close to goal, with Zanker crumbing and dribbling a shot towards the goal square, where Hore scrambled it home, giving Melbourne a narrow halftime lead.

North Melbourne regained the lead in the third quarter when Riddell snapped through a swerving left-footed goal.

But despite trailing by five at the final break, the Demons prevailed with the only goal of the fourth quarter.

Hore gathered a hard ball and flicked it on to Ainslie Kemp, who charged through midfield and delivered a long kick into space for Zanker to run onto.

Zanker galloped into an open goal and put the Demons in front.

The result puts North Melbourne behind the eight ball in conference A, while they await news on Daria Bannister's AC joint injury.

"I think we're still good enough. Adelaide lost the first game and went on to win the premiership last year," Kangaroos coach Scott Gowans said.

"Because if you lose two or three by two, three, four points, it really mucks you up.

"We go down to Launceston next week against GWS and it's a must-win - we just have to perform."