After a red-hot start to the 2019 season at home, the Brisbane Lions will travel to Melbourne to take on the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Last time they met: The Gabba, round 20, 2018: Brisbane 16.8 (104) lost to North Melbourne 16.11 (107)
The Roos led for most of the day and by as many as 29 points in the second quarter, but barely withstood the Lions' withering fightback.
What it means for Brisbane: The Lions roared last week in upsetting West Coast to back up the pre-season hype, but now the challenge is winning these types of 50-50 games as well, when the expectation is higher.
What it means for North Melbourne: Lots for the Roos' season. What was supposed to be a competitive contest with Fremantle – one they genuinely thought they could win – turned into an 82-point hiding and immediately put them on the back foot.
How Brisbane wins: The Lions' willingness to adapt to last week's scenario with their forward line, in particular, was a big part of their opening-round success, as was their dominance at the source. Brisbane's midfielders are the key again.
How North Melbourne wins: Brad Scott reflected after round one on his side's "dysfunctional forward line" among a series of issues, including being badly beaten at stoppages, too many turnovers and their inability to defend. Addressing those problems will go a long way to victory.
The stat: Brisbane lost its past six matches to North Melbourne and hasn't beaten the Roos at Marvel Stadium since 2009. The most recent being just three points, decided in the final 30 seconds of the game.
The match-up: Robbie Tarrant v Eric Hipwood
Tarrant is officially the Roos' second-ranked defender in the AFL Player Ratings (211th overall) but is widely considered the main man down back at Arden St. Hipwood (355th overall) wasn't prominent in last week's conditions and will look to bounce back in a big way.
It's a big week for…The Brisbane Lions
After a narrow loss to North Melbourne in Round 20 of 2018, the Lions will be looking to even the score after coming off a big Round 1 win against the reigning premiers.
