2012 AFL PREMIERSHIP SEASON: ROUND 9

Brisbane Lions (3-5, 14th) v North Melbourne (3-5, 12th)
Sunday 27 May 2012
Etihad Stadium @ 1:10pm (local time)


NEAFL - BRISBANE LIONS RESERVES

The Brisbane Lions Reserves have a Bye this weekend due to the State League game. Lions rookie Stephen Wrigley has been selected to represent Queensland in this game.


LIONS v NORTH MELBOURNE HEAD TO HEAD

The Lions have won 13 and drawn 1 of their 25 matches against North Melbourne for a winning percentage of 52%.

Biggest win: 113 points @ The Gabba in Round 22 2004
Biggest loss: 57 points @ The MCG in Round 19 1997
Most goals (for): Jonathan Brown (8) @ The Gabba in Round 17 2009
Most goals (against): Sav Rocca (6) @ Etihad Stadium in Round 16 2001; Sav Rocca (6) @ The Gabba in Round 12 2002.


RECENT HISTORY

2009: Round 10 - 15.9 (99) to 12.9 (81) @ Etihad Stadium - Won by 18
2009: Round 17 - 17.14 (116) to 11.9 (75) @ The Gabba (N) - Won by 41
2010: Round 11 - 12.18 (90) to 13.11 (89) @ Etihad Stadium (N) - Lost by 1
2011: Round 9 - 10.3 (73) to 8.11 (59) @ The Gabba (N) - Won by 14
2011: Round 18 - 17.20 (122) to 11.11 (77) @ Etihad Stadium - Lost by 45


LAST TIME THEY MET

After notching their first win of the year against North in Round 9, the Lions travelled south keen to keep their winning record against the Kangaroos intact.

The score line switched favour regularly throughout the first half, with Aaron Cornelius kicking the Lions’ first two and North struggling to find consistency in front of goal.

The Lions matched the home team until midway through the third, when a quick three-goal haul from the Kangaroos saw them take the momentum through to the end, eventually winning by 45.

Simon Black was outstanding in the midfield for the Lions, while young guns Tom Rockliff (seven clearances, 29 touches) and Jack Redden (25 touches, 12 tackles, eight clearances) also proved influential.

Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 - D. Petrie (NM), 2 - R. Bastinac (NM), 1 - S. Black (BL)


FAST FOOTY FACTS

Lions Statistical Leaders (AFL Top Ten)
Handballs: 8th Jack Redden (109)
Average Marks: 6th Jonathan Brown (7.7)
Average Marks Inside 50: =10th Jonathan Brown (2.8)
Rebound 50s: =4th Matt Maguire (36)
One Percenters: 1st Matt Maguire (78)
Goal Assists: =7th Simon Black (9)

North Melbourne Senior Coach Brad Scott played 146 matches for the Lions from 1998-2006, including three Premierships with then-teammate Michael Voss.

Two Lions Vice-Captains kicked career-high goals against GWS last Sunday at the Gabba - Daniel Merrett with seven and Tom Rockliff with three (equalling his career-high record set against Melbourne in Round 1 of this season).

Lions midfielder Jack Redden has not missed a senior game since his debut in Round 15 2009, and will play his 63rd consecutive game this weekend.

This will be the Lions’ second Round 9 meeting with North Melbourne in as many years - the Lions notched their first win of the season against the Kangaroos in this round last year.