Leading by 18 points at the last break on Sunday at Marvel Stadium, the Kangaroos swamped Melbourne with eight goals and won 19.11 (125) to 9.12 (66).
After they were competitive against the Western Bulldogs last week, there was growing talk that the time for honourable losses was over at Arden St.
This is Clarkson's third season as coach and hammering Melbourne is a significant statement from his young side.
It also begs renewed questions of the Demons, who were widely tipped as finalists this season after dropping out of the top eight, but are winless after two games.
They had their chances, especially in the third quarter, but their forward line again lacked potency.
North's Tristan Xerri added to his growing reputation with an outstanding game against Demons Max Gawn, the best ruckman in the league.
Midfielder Tom Powell was prolific with 31 possessions and eight clearances, while defender Charlie Comben took 12 marks.
Cam Zurhaar kicked four goals and small forward Paul Curtis also played a key role, kicking three.
Star Melbourne onballer Clayton Oliver had a game-high 36 disposals and 13 clearances, while forward Kade Chandler also impressed.
But overall the Demons were outclassed - especially when the game was on the line at the start of the final term.
North should have been ahead at quarter-time, but poor kicking for goal and some bad defensive errors kept the game tight.
Bayley Fritsch then took a mark despite colliding with a teammate and goalled after the siren to give the Demons a six-point lead at the first change.
With Powell prolific through the midfield, North kept pressing and kicked five goals to two in the second term to pile the pressure onto their more favoured opposition.
They led by two goals at the main break and extended to 19 points during the third term, the biggest lead in the game.
The Demons repeatedly went into attack during the third term, but only kicked two goals and trailled by 18 points at three-quarter time.
After repeated errors from the two teams, North clicked into top gear at the start of the final term.
They mobbed Melbourne with six goals in 10 minutes, including two to Nick Larkey in successive minutes.
North's Jack Darling celebrated his 300th game with two goals.
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