ON THE night retired Jonathan Brown will be paid tribute with a lap of honour at the Gabba, the Lions will embark on a new era without their triple premiership hero. After last week's horrendous 83-point loss against Fremantle in wet Perth conditions, they come home to face another big challenge in North Melbourne. Although the Kangaroos have been criticised for being up and down with their form, one thing they have done well is travel interstate, with victories over West Coast, Fremantle and the Sydney Swans. The young Lions have shown they are far more competitive on home soil, but it's hard to see them challenging a team pushing for a spot in the top four.





WHERE AND WHEN: the Gabba, Saturday June 28, 7.40pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R9, 2014, North Melbourne 17.23 (125) d Brisbane Lions 6.2 (38) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2013, Brisbane Lions 18.9 (117) d North Melbourne 17.3 (105) at Gabba
R4, 2013, North Melbourne 18.17 (125) d Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2012, North Melbourne 17.10 (112) d Brisbane Lions 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2011, North Melbourne 17.20 (122) d Brisbane Lions 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium

Want to watch the game LIVE? Click here for your free trial of AFL Live Pass

THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne’s 87-point thrashing of the Lions in round nine was its biggest win over them since the 94-point victory in round nine, 1989 at the MCG.

2. No team has kicked the ball less in 2014 than the Lions, with a total of 2410, compared to the Kangaroos, who are ranked fourth with 2741.

3. At the Gabba the Lions have dominated North Melbourne, winning 12 games to four, including the last five and nine of the last 10. The Kangaroos last won in Brisbane in 2005.

4. The Lions have taken the ball inside 50 less than any other team – ranked 18th and averaging only 41.4 a game – while North Melbourne isn't much better at 14th with 48 a game.

5. At just 70.4 per cent disposal efficiency, the Lions are the worst team in the League, a far cry from the third-ranked Kangaroos (73.7 per cent).

6. Kangaroo Todd Goldstein (No.31) is moving in on West Coast's Nic Naitanui (No.26) as the top ruckman according to the Official AFL Player Ratings. Goldstein moved to his career high mark after 13 disposals, 31 hit-outs and six tackles against Melbourne.

Prediction: North Melbourne by 42 points