North Melbourne spearhead Nick Larkey has reacted to his side’s nail-biting victory with a strong act of sportsmanship, consoling West Coast forward Jake Waterman after he missed a game-winning set shot.

Waterman had the chance to hand the Eagles their second come-from-behind win over North Melbourne at Optus Stadium this season after getting free and taking a mark inside 50 with 42 seconds left on the clock.

However, the one-time All-Australian has been in woeful form in front of the big sticks, converting at 45.6 per cent.

And it came back to haunt him again, despite having already kicked three majors, as the ball slid off the outside of his boot and thundered into the right post, leaving the Eagles a point short of North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos took two strong marks in the dying seconds, one from Larkey and one from ruck Tristan Xerri, to hold onto the four points and respond to their 124-point hammering at the hands of the Dockers in Bunbury last week.

Larkey, who booted four goals, remained classy after the game, speaking to Waterman before telling Fox Footy he felt for Waterman.

“I think we got away with it in the end,” he said.

“Jake Waterman, I reckon he’s one of the best key forwards in the game.

“I love watching him play. It’s sad to see that happen to anyone when you’ve got the chance. Stoked that we could bounce back from last week. It was obviously a really disappointing performance from us.”

Larkey said he watched film on Waterman and had attempted to implement parts of the Eagles spearhead’s game into his own.

“As much as we love winning, you hate seeing that when the opportunity’s there for him,” he said.

“As I said, he’s an absolute gun, and I watch a lot of his stuff. I would love to play a bit more like him, but that’s footy.

“He’s kicked some rippers this year, so it’s bad luck, but luck went our way, which it hasn’t for a while, so we’ll take that win for sure.”