Defender Shaun Atley says although North Melbourne has lost two close games in a row, the Roos will travel to Perth and take on the West Coast Eagles with confidence. 

“It’s tough loss, especially after last week as well,” Atley told North Media after the loss to Brisbane. 

“To be within a goal or two, it’s pretty tough at the minute.

“Perth and the Eagles is going to be a tough task, but I feel we are playing pretty good footy at the minute so we will head over there confident."

The Roos had the ascendancy in the first half, leading by 19 points at the main change.

But a scoreless third term in which the Lions hit the lead, ultimately proved costly.

“I felt like we controlled the game early, but there were patches there where we let them get on top.”

The major talking point was the decision to hand the Lions’ Oscar McInerney a free-kick inside 50m after Scott Thompson was penalised for blocking in the dying minutes.

“From where I stood it wasn’t a free-kick, but we can’t do much about it now,” Atley said.

“Obviously when we came into the rooms it was a hot topic and all the boys were talking about it, and it burns at the minute, but we have to move on.

“There are decisions throughout the game that have ramifications so you can’t just pin it on one thing.”

It doesn’t get any easier for the Roos, with the high-flying Eagles awaiting them next.

“We’ve got a big game in Perth next week so we have to focus on that.

“We have a quick turnaround, but the staff will map out our week to best recover.

“It will be pretty light on the track.”