Challenged several times, after leading by as much as 28 points, the plucky Kangaroos held their nerve in a Thursday night thriller to beat the Bulldogs for the first time since 2019.
Inspired by forward Paul Curtis and midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke (29 possessions, two goals), North won 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77) to end a five-game losing streak.
Despite enjoying their best season in seven years, North were yet to beat an opponent of note before facing the eighth-placed Bulldogs.
Unlike previous winnable games when they crumbled late on, the Kangaroos fended off the desperate Bulldogs, led by captain Marcus Bontempelli and fellow star Ed Richards.
"I'm so proud of the group that we're able to respond when the pressure was at its most fierce," Clarkson said.Â
"A big stage and we were finally able to win one of these games.
"Just really proud because our players and our coaching staff and club have been doing a lot of heavy lifting, and to finally get some reward, it was a pretty special feeling in the rooms after the game."
The Bulldogs, who missed the finals when they finished ninth under the previous system last year, face a precarious final fortnight of the home-and-away season.
A win against North would have guaranteed them a wildcard spot, at the very least, but they will need to beat in-form Carlton or Melbourne to be guaranteed of not missing the finals.
"As much as you're favourites on paper, based on ladder position, it can belie what's actually in front of you," Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
"Another learning night, a disappointing one because there was something at stake tonight around at least being certain to play one more game, and now that's up for grabs again."
In a further concern for the Bulldogs, ruckman Tim English was in discomfort with his knee late in the final quarter and was assessed in the rooms.
North had to play with a man down for the entire second half after defender Aidan Corr suffered issues with his back and was ruled out for the rest of the night.
The win for the Kangaroos was set up by an exhilarating first quarter from Curtis - the fourth-highest rated quarter of his career. He kicked the opening two goals and brought down a mark of the year contender.
Curtis finished with a game-high four goals and 19 possessions to dominate opponent Michael Sellwood.
The stirring win comes at a crucial time for Clarkson, who has faced questions about his future coming towards the end of his fourth season in charge at North.
The four-time Hawthorn premiership coach is contracted until the end of the season, but a push for change could have come with a poor end to this campaign.
But this result will quieten that noise and ensure he starts 2027 coaching at Arden St.
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