A THREE-goal burst late in the final term has given North Melbourne an unlikely victory against the Brisbane Lions at the Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.
After a see-sawing battle, the Lions looked home and hosed with a nine-point lead at the 20-minute mark of the last term, before the Kangaroos sprung to life.
Sam Power made the most of a Lions turnover and goaled from 20m, Lachlan Hansen then marked and kicked truly from 50m and Scott McMahon kicked the sealer at the 24-minute mark with a strong mark and goal from 45m.
The 13.14 (92) to 11.18 (84) win keeps North entrenched in fifth spot on the AFL ladder ahead of next Sunday's crunch match against the Western Bulldogs.
The Lions' hold on a spot in the top-eight is now teetering after back-to-back losses.
The contest fluctuated all night, from the Kangaroos leading by 27 points during the first quarter, giving up the lead, then regaining it again late.
David Hale had a solid return to the Gold Coast, the former Broadbeach player leading the way with three goals, all in the first quarter.
Hansen, Leigh Brown and Matt Campbell all kicked two.
For the Lions, again it was the twin towers of Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw (five goals each) who looked like stealing the contest, as happened in round 10 when the pair kicked a dozen between them.
On that occasion North Melbourne's defensive pair of Shannon Watt and Josh Gibson had few answers, but on Saturday the Kangaroos stuck around despite the Lions dominating for large periods.
Brad Dalziell (34) and Michael Rischitelli (30) were the leading possession getters for the losers, but it was the silky Daniel Wells kept the Kangaroos in the hunt with 31 touches.
Earlier in the contest North Melbourne burst from the gates, kicking five of the first six goals and taking a 5.6 (36) to 3.3 (21) lead into the first break.
Hale was having the best of his contest with fellow ex Gold Coaster Daniel Merrett with three majors as the Kangaroos led by as much as 27 points before late goals to Bradshaw and Corrie reduced the quarter-time margin.
Brent Harvey missed three shots in the first term but, from that moment on, tagger Justin Sherman had the better of his battle with the Brownlow medal contender, blanketing him for the rest of the night.
Things took a complete about face in the second quarter as Brown took over for the Lions, kicking four goals in a dominant display against Watt and Gibson.
The Lions kicked five goals to one in the quarter for a 8.7 (55) to 6.9 (45) lead at the long break.
Half time came at just the right moment for North Melbourne and they bounced back to life early in the third with the first four goals to regain the lead.
But Brown and Bradshaw, after missing earlier set shots, both converted late in the quarter to put B the Lions back in front again, 10.13 (73) to 10.10 (70) at the final change.
The Lions’ twin towers again combined to give the Queenslanders the jump at the start of the final term. Bradshaw outmuscled his opponent to mark a centring pass from Brown, and the elder forward went back and booted his fifth.
A spate of errant goal kicking plagued both sides as they traded a series of six points, but Sam Power finally snapped truly 19 minutes into the term to put the Roos within three.
Former Demon Travis Johnstone then sprayed a golden chance on the run from 25m and Hansen made him pay the ultimate price when he North in front with a long bomb from outside 50m.
McMahon’s strong mark and goal sealed the deal for North with two minutes to play and the Roos once again proved their worth in a tight finish.
The Lions still hold eighth place on the ladder but face another tough task next week when they travel to Tasmania to take on Hawthorn.
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.6 6.9 10.10 13.14 (92)
BRISBANE LIONS 3.3 8.7 10.13 11.18 (84)
Goals
North Melbourne: David Hale 3, Leigh Brown 2, Matt Campbell 2, Lachie Hansen 2, Daniel Pratt, Josh Gibson, Scott McMahon, Sam Power
Brisbane Lions: Jonathan Brown 5, Daniel Bradshaw 5, Anthony Corrie
Best
North Melbourne: Daniel Wells, Daniel Harris, David Hale, Gavin Urquhart, Brady Rawlings, Drew Petrie
Brisbane Lions: Michael Rischitelli, Bradd Dalziell, Jonathan Brown, Daniel Bradshaw, Albert Proud, Jared Brennan
Injuries
North Melbourne: Adam Simpson (hip) replaced in selected side by Jess White,, Daniel Wells (knee, head)
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Schmitt, Armstrong
Official crowd: 10,037 at Gold Coast Stadium.
The views in this story are those of the author, and not neccessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
