THE BRISBANE Lions have seen off a determined challenge from North Melbourne to register a hard-fought 18-point win at Docklands on Saturday.

After an even first half the Lions were able to open a 31-point lead early in the last quarter, but the Kangaroos pushed the tiring visitors right till the end of the 15.9 (99) to 12.9 (81) win.

Jed Adcock worked hard al day for his 30 touches as did Daniel Rich (25), but Simon Black was well held in the first half before rattling home to finish with 23 disposals.

Rhan Hooper did well in his first game back after a spell to boot four goals and take up some of the slack from Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw, who contributed three goals between them.

Mitch Clark (21 touches and 29 hit-outs) rucked all day against Hamish McIntosh, with both big men impressing in a duel that finished roughly even.

Adam Simpson racked up 37 disposals for the Roos with youngster Ben Warren kicking a career-high four goals.

Tim Notting was chaired from the ground by Clark and Brown after his 200th game.

Justin Sherman and Hooper gave their side the start they were after with the first two goals of the game, but it didn't take the Roos long to work into the contest.

Daniel Harris and Sam Wright let the Lions know they were in for a scrap when they converted their set shots and Warren leveled the scores with his first despite a brilliant long range effort from Adcock, who was in the thick of things from the get go.

Cheynee Stiller was playing a defensive forward role on the damaging Daniel Wells, but he showed he could be dangerous in his own right with a goal late in the term setting up a five-point lead at the first break.

That advantage quickly evaporated thanks to two quick-fire Kangaroo goals to start the second quarter, but the Lions did well to absorb the pressure and hit back.

Hooper and James Polkinghorne restored the lead and despite David Hale's major the visitors finished off the half the better side.

Twin towers Brown and Bradshaw each got on the score sheet as the Lions took a 13-point break into the second half.

Hale's height got the best of Lachie Henderson as the Roos' beanpole kept his side in the hunt with the first goal of the third quarter, but the Lions made their move.

Sherman and Brown stretched the lead to 20 points and with Black shaking off a six-possession first half to get involved, the Lions were up and about.

Hooper continued to enjoy his return match with his third and when Polkinghorne saw his long-range effort sail through, the Kangaroos' challenge was teetering on the brink.

Drew Petrie nailed a much-needed goal after the three-quarter time siren to make it a 19-point ball game and set up a tense final term.

Black continued to grow in stature and was important early in the last after finding Hooper for his fourth before bombing home a set shot to put the Lions in the box seat.

Petrie's second 16 minutes in kept his team's slim hopes alive, but Rich effectively sealed the deal when he converted a set shot from 50m soon after.

North Melbourne    3.3 6.5 9.7 12.9 (81)
Brisbane Lions    4.2 8.6 12.8 15.9 (99)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Warren 4, Hale 2, Petrie 2, Thomas, Harris, McMahon, Wells
Brisbane Lions: Hooper 4, Sherman 2, Brown 2, Polkinghorne 2, Adcock, Stiller, Bradshaw, Black, Rich

BEST
North Melbourne: Simpson, McIntosh, Warren, Gibson
Brisbane Lions: Adcock, Clark, Rich, Hooper, Henderson, Black, Power

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Grima out, replaced in selected side by Harris
Brisbane Lions: Rischitelli (shoulder) 

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Kennedy, Nicholls, Hay

Official crowd: 21,583 at Docklands