A dominant second-half display from the Brisbane Lions saw North Melbourne suffer a 27-point defeat in Saturday afternoon's VFL match at Arden St Oval.

A spirited Kangaroo fightback delivered four goals in the final term, but it was not enough, and the visitors ran out winners 13.14 (92) to 9.11 (65).

KANGAROOS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

A six-goal-to-two third term set up the win for Brisbane, while the highlights for North Melbourne fans included Brayden George's first goal since making his competitive return last week, and a dominant ruck performance by youngster Taylor Goad.

Player watch

Gun midfielder Will Phillips (23 disposals, five clearances) was competitive against a strong Lions midfield both in attack and on the defensive end. Phillips launched a number of explosive attacks out of stoppage, while applying strong on-ball pressure with six tackles.

Seeing extended on-ball opportunities once again, Darcy Tucker worked hard to get his hands on the ball after a quiet start. The midfielder picked up 20 disposals and five clearances, capped by a brilliant long-range goal in the final term.

Taylor Goad made the most of his height advantage in the ruck, rewarded for his tap-work dominance with a game-high 28 hitouts and four clearances.

He was ably supported by Wil Dawson who took on back-up ruck responsibilities, picking up 14 hitouts and six tackles. Dawson was unlucky not to convert his set shot from a courageous overhead diving pack mark.

Eddie Ford (11 disposals, seven marks) saw opportunities in every part of the ground, as he worked back to help out deep in defence, while drifting forward to kick a goal after a terrific juggling mark just before three-quarter time.

Brayden George continued to build on his return from injury, with his best moment a team-lifting crumb and snap goal midway through the third term.

Midfielder Matthew Keast (21 disposals, five clearances) was damaging by hand out of stoppage, while using his foot skills to set up shots at goal for Tarrant and Wil Dawson in the second term.

Adam Tomlinson (24 disposals, 10 intercepts) was solid in an under-fire defence, working as the Roos’ main rebounder with his intercept work in the air and distribution by foot.

Cooper Trembath (11 disposals, seven marks) led the way in front of the goal for the Kangaroos, with his excellent marking efforts seeing him rewarded with a team-high three goals.

What the coach said

VFL coach Tom Lynch on the defeat: "The footy we’ve been playing over the last three games has been really positive and we’ve seen plenty of the things that we’ve been searching for, but today, Brisbane was just too good in too many of those areas.

"I was really proud and pleased with the boys’ effort in the last quarter to fight it out and play to the last minute, but unfortunately we just weren’t able to get over the line."

On Goad and Wil Dawson: "We’ve seen lots of signs from those two guys over the first part of the season, which gives us confidence that they’re going to be really important parts of North Melbourne for a long period of time.

"Goad has been doing a power of work and Wil has been swung forward and provided a really good contest for us. Really pleased with the way that they are developing and they certainly were really strong today."

On Trembath and Keast: "Cooper Trembath kicked three and was a real target up forward. Keast has also been a solid contributor throughout the early part of the year and he’s going to continue to get rewarded for the way he plays."

Next up

North Melbourne will be out to bounce back when they host Richmond on Sunday, May 18 at Arden Street. The first bounce is scheduled for 2.05pm AEST.

NORTH MELBOURNE          1.3   3.6       5.7       9.11 (65)
BRISBANE LIONS               3.5    5.10    11.13    13.14 (92)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Trembath 3, Ford, George, Harvey, Lowe, Tarrant, Tucker
Brisbane Lions: Fazldeen 3, Torrent 2, McLachlan 2, McFadyen 2, Craven, Gallop, Manly, Thomas

BEST
North Melbourne: Trembath, Tarrant, Macpherson, Phillips