A "BITTERLY" disappointed Brad Scott said his team’s inability to take control of the game when they were ahead was an indication of how much North Melbourne still had to improve.

The Kangaroos had all the possession and run in the second quarter of their loss to the Brisbane Lions but could not strike the telling blow in wet conditions when it was required.

"We could never quite put them away and it kept them believing they could snatch a win," Scott said.

"We just slowed to a walk in the last quarter and that is why I am so disappointed.

"I think Brisbane’s intensity lifted, players like (Todd) Banfield started to look lively and we just couldn’t lift to that intensity.

"Regardless of where Brisbane are on the ladder, it would have been good to come up and get four points."

Scott said he had been looking to build on last week’s 41-point win against Melbourne.

"One of the hallmarks of young and inexperienced sides is inconsistency and that is something we have to work on," he said.

"It is a game that we had well and truly within our grasp and we just didn’t take our opportunities."

Two second-half 50m penalties that resulted in Jonathan Brown goals turned the flow of play against the Kangaroos and Scott said the culprits, Scott McMahon and Scott Thompson, had only themselves to blame.

"It was just undisciplined in the end," he said.

Scott paid tribute to Brent Harvey, who came off the field several times with minor injuries. He finished the match with 24 touches, including six hard ball gets.

"It was just one of those nights for Brent, he got kicked in the calf and poked in the eye," Scott said.

"He is just a champion of the game, even when all those things happen, he still performs very well."