North Melbourne answered like champions do, seeing off a stirring Brisbane challenge with three final-quarter goals to win by 11 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday night.

The Lions got within three points at the final change and had all the momentum, but goals to Eilish Sheerin and Bella Eddey, times two, gave the visitors enough breathing space to hang on 6.8 (44) to 5.3 (33).

Aside from last year’s 10-point preliminary final win over Melbourne, it was as close as any team has got to the Kangaroos during their 29-game winning streak.

In a match that resembled wet weather footy on a dewy Springfield surface, North kept Brisbane goalless in the first half and bullied its opponents at the contest to dominate field position.

But the Lions flipped the script after half-time, kicking three unanswered goals to roar back into the contest.

Usual suspects Ash Riddell (42 disposals) and Jas Garner (31) were prolific for North, as its midfield got on top for large stretches.

Tahlia Randall kicked two first-half goals and was a dangerous forward in conditions that didn’t necessarily suit the talls.

Brisbane can be immensely proud of its performance after being held goalless in the first half.

Captain Bre Koenen and trusted defensive sidekick Shannon Campbell held the back half of the ground together, while dynamic wingers Sophie Conway and Orla O’Dwyer were heavily involved in the comeback.

After the home team generated the first seven inside 50s of the match, North flexed its muscles to overpower them in the first half.

LIONS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

They set up camp in the front half of the ground and were eventually rewarded when Randall grabbed the ball from a forward-50 stoppage and snapped truly.

The second quarter was even more emphatic, as the stronger bodies won contest after contest and continually forced the ball forward.

Randall kicked a second stoppage goal for the night when the Lions panicked into giving away a free kick, and Garner stretched the advantage to 22 points at the break with a clever finish.

Brisbane thought it had kicked a goal when Jade Ellenger’s long range attempt was sailing straight, only for it to be touched on the goalline to register the home team’s only score of the half.

The Lions levelled up the previously one-sided clearance and contested possession counts in the third quarter though, putting North’s defence under genuine pressure.

Ruby Svarc kicked two goals, while older sister Cathy executed a wonderful rundown tackle on Jas Ferguson to help turn the match’s momentum.

Dynamic duo do it again
It’s no surprise by now, but when the Roos need ascendency in the middle of the ground they have to look no further than Ash Riddell and Jas Garner. The dynamic duo combined for 73 disposals – 42 to the reigning League best and fairest and 31 to Garner – again proving how clean they are in slippery conditions. Garner’s second-quarter goal was as cool as you’d expect and when the two-time champions needed a boost in the fourth quarter, you know who was there to lead the way. 

Up next
North Melbourne will try to make it 30 on the trot when they play the unbeaten Western Bulldogs at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Saturday at 12.35pm AEST. Things don’t get any easier for the Lions who travel to play Melbourne at Casey Fields next Sunday at 1.05pm.

BRISBANE                     0.0        0.1       3.3       5.3 (33)
NORTH MELBOURNE     1.2       3.5       3.6       6.8 (44) 

GOALS
Brisbane: R.Svarc 2, O’Dwyer, Crozier, Conway
North Melbourne: Randall 2, Eddey 2, Garner, Sheerin 

BEST 
Brisbane: Koenen, Conway, Campbell, O’Dwyer, R.Svarc, Grider
North Melbourne: Garner, Riddell, Sheerin, O’Shea, Randall, Ferguson 

INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
North Melbourne: Nil 

Reports: Nil 

Crowd: 2983 at Brighton Homes Arena