EIGHT goals to Jonathan Brown including four majors in the third term has guided the Brisbane Lions to a 41 point victory over North Melbourne at the Gabba on Saturday night, 17.14.116 to 11.9.75.

The Kangaroos matched the Lions for the first half, but a seven goals to three third term ended the contest as Brown racked up his 400th career goal.

Corey Jones (four goals) provided the shining light for the Kangaroos up forward, while Adam Simpson, (34 disposals), Liam Anthony (27) and Sam Power (29) could hold their heads high.

Playing his 50th game, Lindsay Thomas (two goals) was also a valuable contributor up forward.

But the Kangaroos couldn’t match the pace and skill of the Lions young brigade as they delivered accurately for Brown who was missing his forward partner Daniel Bradshaw.

David Hale (two disposals) couldn’t get his hands on the ball with Daniel Merrett bashing it clear every time it came near.

Hale’s kick out of bounds from a set shot early in the second term summed up a miserable night.

The Kangaroos looked more dangerous in the early stages, Michael Firrito getting the first goal of the game while Anthony, Jones and Simpson provided solid drive through the midfield.

Jones goaled after receiving a 50m penalty for being held by Daniel Rich held after a mark, giving the visitors an early lead.

When Anthony handballed for Lachie Hansen to thread the needle on a tight angle, North Melbourne edged two goals clear.

But the Lions booted the next three goals to hold a 12 point lead at quarter time.

Josh Gibson (31 disposals) did an admirable job on Brown, with the Lions captain struggling to hold on to a string of marks in the first half.

But he had plenty of numbers at his feet, with third gamer Jack Redden pouncing for two goals in the first half.

The Kangaroos usual tackling pressure was absent as Justin Sherman (22 disposals) and Simon Black (30) ran rampant.

Drew Petrie was solid across the half back line and his booming kick to set up Jones kept the Kangaroos in touch

Anthony and Simpson racked up 17 disposals each for the first half but the home side maintained a 16-point advantage at the main break.

Thomas snuck a clever goal straight after the main break, weaving his way through traffic in the goal square.

But the Lions booted the next three majors, Daniel Rich setting up the immediate response with a 50m centre clearance which resulted in a goal to Jared Brennan.

Then Brown tore the game apart with four goals, one of them gifted after a 50m penalty from a push in the back by Scott Thompson.

Another was from a trademark courageous grab running with the flight of the ball. Brown’s sixth major setting up a 39-point lead.

Jones kept his side in touch with his third goal from a 50m set shot while Thomas pounced on a Hamish McIntosh tap down in the goal square to bag his second major.

The subdued crowd of 25,509 watched a sluggish final term as both sides ran out the clock.

Jones bagged his fourth goal in another quality performance up forward while Brent Harvey (26 disposals) goaled late to narrow the margin.

The highlight was Brown’s seventh goal, his 400th career major.

North Melbourne are still yet to have a win since round nine, they take on Carlton at Docklands next Friday night while the Lions face up to Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.



MATCH DETAILS

Brisbane Lions        5.2    7.8    14.9    17.14 (116)
North Melbourne    3.2    5.4    8.6    11.9 (75)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Brown 8, Polkinghorne 2, Redden 2, Black, Brennan, Notting, Sheldon, Sherman
North Melbourne: Jones 4, Thomas 2, Campbell, Firrito, Goldstein, Hansen, Harvey

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Brown, Clark, Power, Black, Sherman, Rich
North Melbourne: Simpson, Harvey, Jones, Greenwood, Anthony, Gibson

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Collier (knee)
North Melbourne: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Hayden Kennedy, Chris Kamolins, Robert Findlay

Crowd: 25,509 at the Gabba


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.