The Kangaroos won 17.9 (111) to 12.18 (90) despite twice forfeiting comfortable leads and trailing for the first time early in the final quarter when the Bombers kicked back-to-back goals through Michael Hurley and Jake Melksham.

The Roos recovered and then rallied to kick the final four goals of the game through Lindsay Thomas, Cameron Pederson, Ryan Bastinac and Drew Petrie.

It is the first time the Kangaroos have won three games in a row since rounds 11 to 13 last season, and it's the Bombers' first loss at Etihad Stadium in five games, and first for the season at the Docklands venue.

James Hird's men also haven't returned a victory since they defeated the Brisbane Lions by 36 points in round eight.

The Bombers were compromised by injuries, starting when they lost Nathan Lovett-Murray before the bounce, which saw former Cat Brent Prismall come in for his second senior game for the year.

Prismall was the substitute player, who was called upon midway through the second when Heath Hocking - playing in his first game back from a three-week suspension - was carried from the field with concussion.

Still, they showed excellent resilience to reel in a 31-point lead midway through the second quarter back to two shortly before half-time, and then a 20-point advantage early in the third term back to a goal within the same quarter.