North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey has launched a scathing post-game attack on the tagging tactics of Melbourne youngster Lynden Dunn on Sunday saying he was glad that Dunn was reported twice within the space of a minute for striking him.

Harvey, equal runner-up in last year's Brownlow Medal and the second favourite to win the game's highest individual honor this season, also accused Dunn of playing "a selfish game" as the Roos beat the bottom-placed Demons by 28 points to jump to fifth on the AFL ladder.

The Harvey-Dunn skirmish in the third term bought an otherwise dull game to life as the 21-year-old Melbourne youngster responded to several verbal taunts from the experienced Harvey - a three-time best and fairest winner.

"I was letting him know what I thought of him," Harvey said of Dunn after the game, when asked what sparked the clash.

"I thought he played a little bit of a selfish game - he was tending to watch me rather than go for the ball and he could have stopped a couple of goals and certainly put pressure on the boys (but instead chose to focus on Harvey) so I wasn't backwards in coming forwards in letting him know he was selfish."

Harvey, who is always subject to close attention from opposition taggers given his status as one of the game's best players, says he always likes to verbally taunt his minders but enjoyed it even more than usual on Sunday against Dunn.

"I was yapping to him because I didn't like the way he was playing," he said.

"I do it most weeks, you get close attention and let them know what you think and sometimes they don't like it and Lynden didn't like it today."

When told Dunn had been reported twice for striking him and now faces a suspension; Harvey replied: "Good."

Harvey, who conceded a staggering 20cm in height (192cm to 172cm) to the tallest tagger he has ever played on, said he was also bemused but delighted by Dunn's failure to exploit his height advantage.

"I couldn't understand when they were going forward why he didn't try to run me forward and get me down back one-on-one," he said.

"But he wasn't doing it so that made my life easier and I didn't have to man up too hard and I am always happy doing that."

Harvey did his Brownlow chances no harm with 27 disposals and two goals in another dominant performance but said afterwards that adding to his 1999 premiership was his biggest goal.

"You always read the paper and see all the speculation and stuff but I am playing footy for the team game - to win premierships," he said.

"I am just happy to contribute, I haven't had too many outstanding games where I am getting 34, 35 possessions but I am happy to get my 26 or 27 touches and contribute to the North Melbourne Football Club winning games."

Kangaroos' coach Dean Laidley was delighted his side did not fall victim to the string of upset results in round 17 but played down his team's rise from tenth to fifth on the ladder as a result.

"We spoke about not getting caught up in that sort of stuff and our task was to beat Melbourne and that's what we did, which was very pleasing," he said

"There is going to be a lot of speculation over who will finish where and that makes it difficult for coaches at this time of year."

"But I would have always thought we had it (making the finals) in our own hands and it still is and if we are good enough we will get there and if we aren't then we won't.'