The Kangaroos, who trailed by 31 points before halftime, fought back for a morale-boosting 12.18 (90) to 14.5 (89) win in wet and windy Ballarat on Sunday.
It followed a heavy loss to Melbourne the previous week, after six straight seasons finishing in the bottom three on the ladder.
"It's obvious that we haven't won many games for a long time now, so just to practice that winning feeling," Kangaroos star Harry Sheezel told Kayo post-match.
"I know it's pre-season and people are going to say it doesn't mean that much, but we were pretty embarrassed last week after our showing against Melbourne.
"So to come out and get a win and take some belief going into the season can't do any harm."
Dovaston, the No.16 pick in last year's draft, kicked three majors in a lively display in attack, capped off by running into an open goal to put North in front with less than three minutes remaining.
Lachy Dovaston's third gives the Roos the lead!#AFLNorthPies pic.twitter.com/OvRHU9RGML— AFL (@AFL) March 1, 2026
Likened to Hawthorn's Nick Watson, the 18-year-old shapes as a likely inclusion for the Kangaroos' round-one clash with Port Adelaide on March 15.
"There's some similarities (to Watson) but he's his own player and we love what he's brought to the group," Sheezel said.
"He's come in and a lot of young guys stood up today. To get that experience and really keep calm heads and take their opportunities is exciting."
Finn O'Sullivan (24 disposals), Tom Powell (27), Luke Davies-Uniacke (33), Jy Simpkin (27) and Sheezel (33) were all influential for the Kangaroos, who were without young guns George Wardlaw (hamstring) and Colby McKercher (finger).
New captain Nick Larkey (three), fellow key forward Jack Darling and youngster Cooper Trembath (two each) all kicked multiple goals.
North's supplemental selection period recruit Tom Blamires also impressed with 24 disposals for his new club.
Collingwood, who were without superstar Nick Daicos and about 10 members of their best team, were well served by Josh Daicos (29 disposals), Patrick Lipinski (27) and Dan Houston (25).
Beau McCreery shone in the midfield with 17 touches, five clearances and a goal, while Charlie West and Jack Buller showed glimpses in attack with two goals each, and Dan McStay kicked three.
"You always want to win, don't you? But for us it was more about coming here and making sure our process was right rather than the outcome," Magpies assistant coach Jordan Roughead said.
"It was pretty nice to get ourselves in a little bit of a tussle for the last couple of minutes where we could potentially try to execute some of the plans we put in place through the summer around tight finishes and expose some of our lesser experienced guys to a pressure situation."
Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott, Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury are all set to return in the Magpies' season opener against St Kilda next Sunday night.
But Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore are both yet to be cleared of their respective calf injuries.
