Everything you need to know for our Gather Round match against the Lions
After a thrilling Good Friday win over Carlton, North Melbourne returns to the Barossa Valley to take on reigning premier Brisbane.
Here’s everything you need to know for Gather Round.
When: Saturday, April 11 at 12.05pm local time (12.35pm AEST) Where: Barossa Park, Lyndoch, SA Tickets: Tickets for our Round 5 game against Brisbane are SOLD OUT
STEP BACK TO THE '90s
Introducing the Pagan's Pick retro range, inspired by the fits and fabrics of a classic era
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Paul Curtis: Forward signs huge contract extension
Goalkicking forward Paul Curtis has agreed to an extended deal at North Melbourne
North Melbourne royalty to be elevated to Legend status in Hall of Fame
North Melbourne icons Malcolm Blight and Denis Pagan will be officially elevated to Legend status in the club's Hall of Fame
Wardlaw extends at Arden Street
Young midfielder George Wardlaw has shown his loyalty to North Melbourne, committing to the club for at least another two seasons
Must Watch
14:29
INSIDE ACCESS to our epic comeback against the Suns | Matchday Pass
NMFC Media takes you inside Marvel Stadium as we came back from 43 points down to defeat Gold Coast in Round 11. Join us for the next win. Become a Kangaroos member: nmfc.me/MakeItHappenWithUs
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AFL R5 match preview: Barossa Park awaits Kangas, Lions battle
North Melbourne will face its toughest test yet when it meets the back-to-back reigning premiers in Gather Round on Saturday afternoon
North Melbourne will face its toughest test so far this season when it meets back-to-back reigning premier Brisbane in Gather Round on Saturday afternoon
The 3-1 Roos are high on confidence after their thrilling Good Friday SuperClash win and will be out to claim a massive scalp in the Barossa Valley.
Round 5, North Melbourne v Brisbane When: Saturday, April 11 at 12.05pm ACST, 12.35pm AEST Where: Barossa Park, Lyndoch, SA How to watch: Foxtel, Kayo Sports
After picking up two losses from their first three games, the Lions locked in against Collingwood last week, blowing the Pies away at the Gabba by 54 points to even their win-loss ledger.
They haven’t lost to North Melbourne in any of the previous eight clashes, but Chris Fagan’s side found it difficult to break down the Kangaroos last time out, only managing to leave Tasmania with two points following a 71-71 draw last season.
Brisbane could regain co-captain Hugh McCluggage from a calf strain and defender Noah Answerth from concussion. Star back Harris Andrews is also expected to return from his suspension, which would be a boost for a team low on key defensive stocks.
Running hot
In the frantic SuperClash at Marvel Stadium, Caleb Daniel's experience was in full effect.
The half-back was cool and composed against the Blues as he collected a game-high 27 touches, going at 89 per cent efficiency.
Perhaps his most significant effort was his chase-down tackle on Carlton's Jagga Smith, which prevented the visitors from scoring late in the opening term and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
What the coach has said
North Melbourne senior coach Alastair Clarkson on Thursday: "We're going to need to be pretty sharp in (defence) against Brisbane on Saturday because they're a high-scoring team. They're really strong from the stoppage and if you give them enough opportunity in their front end they're going to kick over 100 [points].
09:24
Last time we met
Despite being at opposite ends of the table, the Roos and Lions couldn't be split in last year's 10.11 (71) to 10.11 (71) Round 9 result at Hobart's Ninja Stadium.
The lead changed hands multiple times in the final 10 minutes. The Kangaroos had the better of the opportunities to steal the win at the death but couldn't land the killer blow.
Luke Davies-Uniacke was a standout for the home side, winning 32 possessions, while Charlie Comben racked up a game-high 12 intercepts.
08:07
OWN A UNIQUE ROO MEMENTO
Your chance to grab a signed, player-issue guernsey as worn in Gather Round and Round 8!
AFL R5 match report: Premiers edge Roos in Barossa
Brisbane has seen off a challenge from North Melbourne to claim a 26-point win in an entertaining battle at Gather Round on Saturday
Brisbane has seen off a valiant North Melbourne to notch its third straight win on Saturday, holding off the Kangaroos by 26 points at Barossa Park.
In wet and windy conditions, the Lions trailed by 12 points at quarter-time but held sway for much of the game thereafter to win 13.14 (92) to 9.12 (66).
With the teams separated by just eight points inside the final 10 minutes, goals to Sam Draper and Cam Rayner, and Zac Bailey on the final siren, iced the Lions' victory.
08:15
They are now 3-2 after losing their first two matches of 2026.
In another even performance from the two-time premiers, Lachie Neale (30 disposals) was clean around the stoppages, while Zac Bailey (21 and two goals), Oscar Allen (three goals) and Jarrod Berry were also excellent contributors.
The only sour note for the Lions was a calf injury suffered by veteran Dayne Zorko that saw him leave the field prior to half-time.
The Kangaroos were excellent in defeat.
After four quick goals in the first quarter gave them a handy advantage, Alastair Clarkson's team battled hard under a weight of inside 50s to remain in the contest.
Luke Parker was colossal in the match-shaping third quarter for Brisbane, taking five contested marks in his 13 disposals for the term that also included a smother on a certain Hugh McCluggage goal.
Luke Davies-Uniacke (27 and a goal), Harry Sheezel (30) and Jy Simpkin (27), who had a run-with role on Will Ashcroft, were strong performers.
In what was an armwrestle for much of the afternoon in tricky weather, the Lions opened the game up with five goals in the third quarter, able to transition the ball with speed.
They generated 58 inside 50s to 44, with the weight of numbers eventually holding sway.
After Brisbane kicked the first two goals of the game, North settled and hit back hard.
Last round's Telstra AFL Rising Star nominee Cooper Trembath took a powerful pack mark and goaled to settle nerves before Jack Darling, Zac Banch and Paul Curtis quickly followed suit to establish a 12-point lead.
The Lions looked rattled during the 15-minute onslaught, with Zorko giving away a 50m penalty to gift Curtis his goal.
They re-established some form of control in the second quarter, but misfired with a host of difficult set shots.
Logan Morris missed to the left and then the right from 50m, while Kai Lohmann, Lincoln McCarthy and Bruce Reville also blasted wide from tricky set shots to leave the Roos four points in front at the main break.
Ashcroft cops his first tag It wasn't long ago Lachie Neale was getting tagged most weeks and last year it was Hugh McCluggage copping the opposition attention. But Alastair Clarkson had other ideas, zeroing in on two-time Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft for extra attention, sending Jy Simpkin to follow his every move. Ashcroft started with five early disposals, but Simpkin's physical approach paid some dividends throughout an engrossing battle. Ashcroft worked hard under the tight tag, finishing with 19 disposals that included five clearances, six tackles and an excellent education.
The Trembath highlight reel is growing Less than a week after earning the Rising Star nomination, Cooper Trembath was adding another chapter to his rapidly developing story. The young Roo was sensational in the windy weather, kicking two goals from his 12 disposals. What really caught the eye was his marking. While others struggled to judge the ball in the wind, Trembath put on a clinic, hauling in five contested marks, including one spectacular grab from five deep in the goalsquare to set the Barossa crowd alight. He now has 19 goals from eight games since his debut last year.
Is Jarrod Berry in MRO strife? Midway through the second quarter, Jarrod Berry came in for a spoil as Dylan Stephens completed a mark. The rugged Lion was slightly late to the contest and made a clumsy attempt to disrupt his opponent, collecting him around the head. There was no doubt it was high, but the level of contact might save Berry, as Stephens immediately popped up to his feet to take his kick. Either way, the incident is sure to be at least looked at by Match Review Officer Michael Christian.
