The pressure is high for both North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions as they clash at Etihad Stadium this afternoon. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 4.40pm AEST.
North Melbourne came into the season as finals contenders once again, but their tough draw has them yet to get a win in 2013.
The Brisbane Lions only came to the top of people’s minds as finals contenders with their win in the NAB Cup, but they too are under the pump with two losses and a close shave against the Gold Coast Suns.
This is a mighty important game for both teams – the winner gets a huge morale boost, while the loser could be consigned to life outside the top eight for the rest of the year.
Despite losing all three games so far in 2013, North Melbourne has won more quarters than they’ve lost, which suggests the team isn’t too far away.
It’s all about putting together a consistent performance.
In fact, the Kangaroos won all but one quarter last weekend against Sydney. It’s just a shame that they gave up 11 goals to one in the third quarter to throw that game away.
The third quarter is where North Melbourne has failed this season – they’ve lost all three by a total of 106 points!
The big talk after the teams were announced was the naming of Majak Daw to make his debut for today’s game.
Daw had a couple of hitouts in the NAB Cup and has shown glimpses of excitement throughout his VFL career.
The Lions snuck over the line against the Suns. They looked in control for most of the contest, but faded late as the Gold Coast almost took the four points away.
After a strong pre-season, the injury toll has mounted for the Lions with some great talent on the sidelines – Brent Staker, Matt Maguire and the most recent being Claye Beams, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.
The constant travel early in the season may have taken its toll on the team, but the Lions seem to play better at Etihad Stadium than most venues around the country.
The fact they have an even record against the Kangaroos at Etihad (four wins, four losses and a draw) suggests the Lions like the fast-pace that’s conducive at the venue, as well as the slightly smaller confines of the ground.
Expect a tight contest as the Kangaroos and Lions do battle this afternoon. Full coverage coming up from 4.40pm AEST.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Pathetic from the Lions. Their midfield continues to get over run. I love Voss but maybe... Hopefully no one was getting to excited thanks to a NAB Cup win!
Steven
Guest
Sack the Voss
Frankie321
Guest
How many more years of poor team performance with the Lion's coach will go on?
Bill
Guest
Brisbanes finals hopes are in tatters, there are several issues that need to be dealt with immediately. Daniel Merrett, how many goals did he cost us? This bloke is one of our senior players and needs to be leading by example, not giving away undisciplined free kicks. The Lions are too reliant on Brown still and when he's in possession, he often doesn't look to pass the ball off to the best option, instead trying to kick for goal. One glimmer of hope is that at the centre bounces and stoppages, we often got first possession of the ball, it's what happened after that, that needs to be addressed. Up against Melbourne at the Gabba next, we should win that, but then it's Sydney down there, the first time we meet a genuine top 4 team.....................it's going to be a long season.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 18.17 (125) def. Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) So that ends Round 4 of AFL. A few teams finally getting on the board this round - including North Melbourne, Melbourne and Carlton. Essendon, Port Adelaide and Geelong still undefeated, while GWS is the only team yet to register a victory. Round 5 is massive. ANZAC Day - Essendon vs. Collingwood will be one of the biggest in memory, while history's made in New Zealand as St Kilda and Sydney battle for the first 4-points outside of Australia. Then Fremantle take on Richmond on Friday night. There's a couple of very good match ups coming up like Carlton vs. Adelaide and Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne. Make sure you join us across the ANZAC Round as we bring you more live action in the AFL Twitter - @TheSportsFreak
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 18.17 (125) def. Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) Quarter by Quarter North Melbourne 5.10 8.13 15.16 18.17 (125) Brisbane Lions 1.2 4.5 6.5 9.8 (62) Goalscorers NM (12) – Lindsay Thomas 4, Drew Petrie 4, Majak Daw 1, Jamie Macmillan 1, Scott Thompson 1, Daniel Wells 1, Leigh Adams 1, Lachie Hansen 1, Sam Gibson 1, Jack Ziebell 1, Aaron Mullett 1, Sam Wright 1 BL (6) – Marco Paparone 3, Rohan Bewick 2, Niall McKeever 1, Tom Rockliff 1, Josh Green 1, Dayne Zorko 1 Team Stats Disposals: NM 401-341; Disposal Efficiency: NM 77%-75%; Kicking Efficiency: NM 70%-69%; Contested Possessions: NM 1148-124; Marks: NM 109-89; Clearances: LEVEL 29-29; Tackles: BL 50-41; Inside 50’s: NM 64-46 Player Stats Tom Rockliff (BL) 34 disposals, 9 contested possessions, 5 marks, 6 clearances, 7 inside 50’s, 1 goal, 1 goal assist Sam Gibson (NM) 30 disposals, 9 marks, 6 inside 50’s, 1 goal Scott Thompson (NM) 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 10 marks, 6 rebound 50’s, 10 one-percenters, 1 goal Jed Adcock (BL) 29 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 6 marks, 13 rebound 50’s, 6 tackles
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 18.17 (125) def. Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) The first quarter was fantastic from the Kangaroos - 15 scoring shots to just 3. They should have been 40-50 points up at the first change, but inaccuracy kept the Lions afloat. 32 points at half time was manageable. But the Kangaroos smashed them out of the ball park with 4 goals in 5 minutes. North Melbourne victorious - Majak Daw the most talked about 15 minutes of football!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | North Melbourne 18.17 (125) def. Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) There's the final siren. The Blue and White are singing for the first time this season. The Kangaroos big winners by 63 points.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:45 left | NM 18.17 (125) | BL 9.8 (62) No doubt the Kangaroos are happy to run the clock down here. Both teams just about at a stand-still now. Marco Paparone with a nice grab though deep in the forward 50. Straight in front, 20m out - GOAL! So a very good debut from the West Aussie. "The Guns of Paparone"... no?
Disappointed
Guest
A couple of years ago I handed in my Lions membership.....now I'm turning off my tv, too. Season over.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:44 left | NM 18.17 (125) | BL 8.8 (56) Michael Firrito launches from the middle of the ground towards the forward line. Petrie flies, but can't bring it down - at the back is Sam Wright - spins around all by himself - GOAL!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 4:00 left | NM 17.17 (119) | BL 8.8 (56) At least Brisbane has been able to stem the flow a little and the margin hasn't skyrocketed.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:20 left | NM 17.17 (119) | BL 8.8 (56) Todd Goldstein with a ripping kick to Lachie Hansen at half forward. Turns around and kicks quickly into the forward line, no mark. Then Bastinac kicks a high, high ball - almost goes near the roof... PETRIE! Juggles the mark, but gets it nonetheless. Cramps up a little, but he'll still want to add to his tally.... SNUCK IT HOME!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 8:33 left | NM 16.17 (113) | BL 8.8 (56) A chain of handballs now lands with Mullett through the middle... he could go for it AGAIN!!! He decides to kick to just inside 50m - Jamie Macmillan can't mark, but copped one high and will kick on goal. Kicks from 48m out - pushed it to the right - behind only
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:32 left | NM 16.16 (112) | BL 8.8 (56) Centre clearance for the Lions as Mitch Golby kicks to the forward line - PAPARONE! Nice contested grab. He's in the right forward pocket, 35m out - GOALS! 2 goals on debut.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:25 left | NM 16.16 (112) | BL 7.8 (50) Ball up at the 50m arc for BL. Moloney handballs to Dayne Zorko... kicks a big old punt from 54m out - GOES ALL THE WAY! Nice kick from a tough spot!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:34 left | NM 16.16 (112) | BL 6.8 (44) Sam Mayes goes long to the forward pocket - marked by Stefan Martin! Nice take. Earlier, Daniel Rich with an important attack on the footy in the middle of the ground - stole it from Liam Anthony - otherwise it would have been another goal to the Kangas. Martin, kicks... but misses from 25m out on the boundary
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 14:25 left | NM 16.16 (112) | BL 6.7 (43) Jed Adcock looks short, but misses the target inside the forward 50. Ball comes free though to Rohan Bewick... snaps a behind though.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 15:20 left | NM 16.16 (112) | BL 6.6 (42) Pearce Hanley with a knee issue - it's strapped and iced up at the moment. He won't be back out there.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 16:47 left | NM 16.16 (112) | BL 6.6 (42) Aaron Mullett's on the burst.... Runs from just backward of the wing... takes 3-4 bounces... gets to 35m out... GOAL OF THE WEEK!! Cracking run and great finish!