North had progressed to the preliminary final with a qualifying final victory over Port Adelaide, while Brisbane had defeated Carlton and the Western Bulldogs, both at the Gabba, en route to the home of football.
YouTube match highlights
The two sides had played a thriller at the same ground in Round 14 with the final margin just two points in favour of the Kangaroos.
On a Friday night before 61,031, the intensity started at much the same level as the past meeting. It claimed its first victim early as Simon Black got crunched in a tackle by Mick Martyn. The collision forced Black off the field and after just one handball the midfielder played no further part in the match.
Black’s absence seemed to slow the Lions down somewhat. Wayne Carey and Corey McKernan ran riot in the forward 50. The Roos kicked the last four goals of the first quarter and of their five total, McKernan had three and Carey two.
Just as North appeared to have all the momentum, Brisbane hit back hard in the second quarter.
The Roos’ one-man advantage on the bench disappeared during the term. Anthony Stevens flew for a mark but landed awkwardly on his ankle, leaving both sides with a three-man interchange.
After he had started in the forward line, Alastair Lynch moved down back to help quell Carey and McKernan. The move paid dividends and coupled with the Lions’ dominance through the middle, the visitors took a surprising four-point lead into the rooms at half-time.
Early in the second half, it appeared Brisbane had started much where it left off. The first goal of the third quarter made it six out of the past seven and the Lions led by 10 points.
North needed a change of momentum and it happened through its smalls. With Carey and McKernan well held after quarter-time, Shannon Grant stepped up to get the ball rolling.
With two third quarter goals from Grant, North responded to the Brisbane charge with four consecutive majors and established a 14-point lead.
Much like Brisbane’s second quarter, North used an advantage through the middle to get on top. However if it wasn’t for two misses from Jason Akermanis near the final change, the Roos’ lead would have been a lot less than 12 points.
To start the final term North kicked the first three goals and led by 30 points. As Shaun Hart went off the field, the home team looked like it was full of running. However, there ended up being a further twist to the tale.
Clark Keating marked the ball on Brisbane’s forward 50 and an errant forearm from Jason McCartney collected the Lions’ ruckman high.
McCartney, who had been a rock in defence all night, was reported for striking.
Brisbane narrowed the margin to 18 points despite having just one fit man on the bench. In the end, North’s running power proved too strong.
Excellent defensive work from David King led to his second goal of the final term, and Brent Harvey kicked his third on the final siren to cap off a 45-point win.
For his troubles, McCartney was suspended and missed the following week as North triumphed with its four premiership.
North Melbourne 5.2.32, 6.6.42, 11.7.73, 19.9.123
Brisbane 2.2.14, 7.4.46, 9.7.61, 11.12.78
Goals
North Melbourne: Carey 3, Grant 3, Harvey 3, McKernan 3, King 2, Abraham 1, Archer 1, Bell 1, Clayton 1, Sholl 1
Brisbane: Keating 2, Power 2, Ashcroft 1, Hart 1, Lappin 1, Lynch 1, Molloy 1, Notting 1, B Voss 1
