Kangaroos beat Brisbane Lions by 45 points

North Melbourne improved the longer the game went on to beat the Brisbane Lions by 45 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday and stay in the AFL finals race.

There were eight lead changes in the first two-and-a-bit quarters before the Kangaroos wrested control with the last three goals of the third term.

North then pushed home the advantage, kicking eight of the last nine goals to win 17.20 (122) to 11.11 (77) and move within half a game of eighth spot.

It was the Kangaroos’ sixth win in their past eight games, while the Lions remain stuck in the bottom three with a sorry 3-14 win-loss record.

A Brisbane forward set-up, revamped due to the absence of injured skipper Jonathan Brown, started well as youngster Aaron Cornelius and Mitch Clark kicked the first two goals of the match.

Ben Warren got the Kangaroos’ opening major but the home side were than hampered by inaccuracy in front of goal.

They led by only seven points at the first change despite having seven more scoring shots.

Simon Black kicked the opening goal of the second quarter for Brisbane courtesy of a mark and 50m penalty paid against Michael Firrito, who was reported for making high contact to the Brownlow medallist.

Brisbane held sway for much of the second term and it was only late goals from North forwards Drew Petrie and Aaron Edwards that enabled the home side to hold a five-point advantage at the long break.

But the Kangaroos had much the better of the final two quarters, wilting Brisbane kicking only one goal after the six-minute mark of the third term.

Petrie and Cameron Pedersen booted three goals apiece for North Melbourne, who were also well served by Jack Ziebell, Ryan Bastinac and Brent Harvey.

Black was outstanding for the Lions, while Tom Rockliff and Jack Redden also played well.

North Melbourne host Carlton back at Etihad Stadium on Friday night while Brisbane have their second bye of the season next weekend.

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