Brisbane's Jonathan Brown farewelled in style as the Lions ran out 70-66 winners over North Melbourne
Lewis Taylor does his best Jonathan Brown impersonation. Source: Getty Images
BRISBANE have claimed a stirring and nail-biting four-point victory over North Melbourne at the Gabba to give retired Lion King Jonathan Brown a thrilling and fitting goodbye.
With an anxious Brown watching on from a private box after an emotional farewell lap of the ground at half-time, Brisbane withstood a late Kangaroos surge to all but end North Melbourne’s hopes of a top four berth.
The Lions led by as much as 33 points in the third quarter but the seventh-placed Kangaroos flew home.
Jonathan Brown does a lap of honour at half-time at the Gabba. Source: Getty Images
Debutant defender Daniel McStay stepped on the line as kicked out following a behind to add extra drama but the Lions somehow stopped North from kicking the match-winner.
Irishman Pearce Hanley was best on ground with 34 touches while Josh Green kicked three goals for the brave home side that set-up the win in the second term.
Nick Dal Santo had 30 disposals for North with Drew Petrie kicking four goals.
Brad Scott faces the media after his side's loss to the Brisbane Lions
Kangaroos captain Andrew Swallow and Brent Harvey kicked the first two goals of the final quarter to get North within eight points of Brisbane.
In a gripping final term, Brisbane then camped inside their attacking half of the ground with little reward as the Lions wasted legitimate chances to put the game on ice.
Lions defender Matt Maguire then made a crucial error which gift-wrapped a goal to Lindsay Thomas and cut the Brisbane lead to just five points.
Brisbane teammates swamp Michael Close after a second-quarter goal. Source: Getty Images
North Melbourne blew a near-certain goal with two minutes left with Petrie choosing to pass rather than shoot for goal.
Brisbane critically kicked the first two goals of the third term through Claye Beams and Michael Close to extend their buffer to 33 points.
It was worth significantly more than that given the rain that was pounding the Gabba.
But Kangaroos spearhead Petrie kicked his third and fourth goals of the night in quick succession late in the term to drag the Kangaroos back into the contest, Brisbane holding a 20-point advantage at the last change.
Brisbane Lions fans show their appreciation of Jonathan Brown. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia
Brisbane stormed to a 21-point lead at the main break after kicking eight of the last nine goals in the half in a scintillating burst that stunned the Kangaroos.
North Melbourne completely dominated the opening passages with the first seven inside 50s of the match and held a commanding 3.4 (22) to 0.0 (0) lead after 22 minutes.
The Lions were guilty of poor execution as they fumbled and bumbled their way to turnovers under relentless Roos pressure.
However, the tide turned savagely late in the first quarter as Brisbane proceeded to tear the Kangas to pieces.
Brent Harvey was well held in the Kangaroos loss. Source: Getty Images
Daniel Merrett, Dayne Zorko, Aish (twice), Green (twice) and Beams all booted goals in the second term with Sam Gibson providing the solitary major for the listless visitors.
Brisbane had so much time and space as they ran, tackled and competed harder than the Roos. The Lions simply out-worked North Melbourne who had no answers to the Brisbane’s second-quarter onslaught.
Lachie Hanson was a late withdrawal for the Roos with general soreness.
It was North Melbourne’s sixth-straight loss at the Gabba and their 11th defeat in the last 12 trips to Brisbane.
Originally published as Gutsy Lions do it for Browny
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