North Melbourne has fallen to a 23-point loss at the hands of Brisbane at Blundstone Arena.

The Roos performed strongly throughout much of the first three quarters, but the Lions finished the better, kicking three goals to one in the final term.

At one stage during the second quarter, North had booted four goals straight, with Nick Larkey the dominant forward, booting the majors. 

After over-handballing somewhat in the first quarter, the Roos were more direct in the second, taking the lead halfway through the term after some long and tidy kicks into attack.

But North’s scoring dried up as the rain tumbled down in the third term, with Brisbane beginning to control play and kicking for distance.

Eric Hipwood struggled in front of goal in the first half, but struck a decisive blow late in the third term, leapfrogging Shaun Atley with a tumbling mark and subsequently thumping home a shot from 50.

It took the lead back, and the Lions were never headed from that point.

Ben Cunnington and Jy Simpkin were at their best in the middle of the ground, while Todd Goldstein (an astonishing 53 hitouts) was tireless in the ruck. Kayne Turner battled admirably against Charlie Cameron, but the clever Lion still managed to kick 2.3 from his five touches.

Having a Lark(ey) of a time
Rising North Melbourne key forward Nick Larkey became enough of a threat at the start of the second quarter, Harris Andrews replaced Marcus Adams as his opponent. Larkey was dominant in the term, despite the attentions of one of the best defenders in the AFL, combining well with Cam Zurhaar and marking strongly. He faded somewhat as supply dried up, but still finished with three goals.

NORTH MELBOURNE 1.2 4.3 5.6 6.9 (45) 
BRISBANE 2.4 3.7 6.9 9.14 (68)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Zurhaar 2, Stephenson
Brisbane: Cameron 2, McCarthy 2, Daniher, Bailey, Hipwood, Neale, Robertson

BEST
North Melbourne: Cunnington, Goldstein, Simpkin, Ziebell, Davies-Uniacke, Thomas
Brisbane: Lyons, Neale, Bailey, McCarthy, McCluggage, McInerney

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil 
Brisbane: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Young (unused)
Brisbane: T. Berry (unused)