SUMMARY
After indifferent starts to the season, bothclubs have started to make some noise after the bye and could be more than anuisance in the race to the finals. North Melbourne is coming off its bestperformance of the season in demolishing Richmond, while the Lions made it twowins from their past three with a comfortable victory over neighbouring GoldCoast. The Kangaroos smashed the Lions in round four and their run and legspeed might test Michael Voss's men again. North Melbourne's best looks goodenough in this one, but the Lions' recent improvement is enough to suggest theycould quite easily spring a surprise.
WHERE AND WHEN: The Gabba, Saturday July13, 7.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcastguide and odds
LAST FIVE TIMES
R4,2013, North Melbourne 18.17 (125) d Brisbane 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R9,2012, North Melbourne 17.10 (112) d Brisbane 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium
R18,2011, North Melbourne 17.20 (122) d Brisbane 11.11 (77) at Etihad Stadium
R9,2011, Brisbane 10.13 (73) d North Melbourne 8.11 (59) at the Gabba
R11,2010, North Melbourne 12.18 (90) d Brisbane 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1.North Melbourne thrashed the Lions earlier this season, handing them a 63-pointdrubbing in round four at Etihad Stadium. Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas kickedfour goals each.
2.History says the Kangaroos have had the better of the Lions, winning 25 oftheir 44 matches with one draw. They have won the past three and four of thepast five.
3. North Melbourne has a poor record at the Gabba and has not won there since2005. The Lions have an 11-4 win-loss advantage at home.
4.Lions' champion forward Jonathan Brown enjoys an impressive record against theKangaroos, kicking 52 goals in 17 games. He has a personal best of eight in2009 and has kicked at least five in five matches.
5. Noteam has received more free kicks in 2013 than North Melbourne with 313, while theLions are ranked 11th with 255. The Kangaroos have the best free kickdifferential (+4.6 per match), while the Lions are 16th (-2.2).
6. Theyplayed together for the Murray Bushrangers in 2008, and Tom Rockliff and JackZiebell have already forged excellent young careers. Rockliff is ranked 58th onthe Official AFL Player Ratings, with Ziebell improving to 129th after lastweek.
