Kangaroos set up intriguing clash with Geelong after beating Lions

North Melbourne have set up an intriguing clash against Geelong by outclassing Brisbane yesterday.

North Melbourne’S Shaun Higgins gets clear. Picture: Michael Klein

North Melbourne have set up an intriguing clash against Geelong next Saturday after outclassing Brisbane by 54 points at Etihad Stadium yesterday.

The Kangaroos continued their strong start to the season in a dominant showing against the 17th-placed Lions, kicking five unanswered goals in the opening term to set the tone for the match.

It is another result that emphasises just how well the Kangaroos have performed in 2018, for in pre-season predictions many considered them likely to share the lower rungs of the ladder with the Lions.

Instead North Melbourne, led superbly in the midfield by Shaun Higgins, sit sixth, just one win outside the top four and level with the Cats on percentage.

This places a premium on next Saturday’s clash against the Cats in Geelong, for the victor will have a clear advantage on a close rival heading into the mid-season bye.

As an example of how tight the tussle is among the sides from third to 10th position, the Kangaroos managed a nine-goal victory yet were jumped by Geelong on percentage.

“They were obviously very good (on Saturday night against the Gold Coast),” North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said.

“We don’t have to remind the players of the capability they have got as a team. It is a huge challenge but we are looking forward to it.”

Later in the afternoon Collingwood joined the Kangaroos on seven wins from 11 matches when too strong for Fremantle.

But it is the Kangaroos who are vying with West Coast and Melbourne for the most-improved side of 2018 at the halfway mark of the year.

As Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said, they “should be very happy” with how they are performing.

With Jack Ziebell dangerous in attack and ruckman Todd Goldstein getting the better of Stefan Martin in the ruck, North Melbourne were always in control.

Perhaps the only surprise is that they did not win by more given they led by 55 points at halftime, but to the credit of Brisbane, they persisted despite the overwhelming deficit and a significant loss of manpower.

Dayne Beams continued his outstanding form since relinquishing the captaincy by kicking five goals.

The first Lion felled was Allen Christensen, who was concussed early when collected high by a Jy Simpkin bump that is certain to be assessed by the match review ­officer today.

Exacerbating a difficult day for Brisbane were injuries to Charlie Cameron, who was forced from the field with an ankle problem in the second term, and Hugh McCluggage, who injured a calf muscle in the third.

Fagan said it is testament to the growing maturity of his side that they continued to persevere, noting they may well have lost by more than 100 points a year ago given the circumstances.

“Funnily enough, I reckon we will get a lot out of (the match),” he said. “I think the character that the group showed, the commitment and the courage to keep fighting on was outstanding.”

There was also significant drama for North Melbourne before the match, with star Jarrad Waite the latest of late withdrawals after feeling tightness in a calf muscle.

This paved the way for Tom Murphy to debut, with the ­defender learning of his late promotion only three minutes before the opening siren.

The form of another debutant in Paul Ahern pleased Kangaroos officials, who have nursed the ­former No 7 draft pick back to ­fitness after a shocking run of misfortune.

Ahern, who was selected by the Giants in the 2014 draft, has undergone two knee reconstructions. His debut after 1285 days on an AFL list was outstanding, with the first-gamer gathering 29 possessions.

“It is a bit of a fairy tale, really, for a guy who has persisted for an incredibly long time and would have been forgiven for thinking his time would never come,” Scott said.

“No one could have foreseen the first few years of his career unfolding the way they did, but what a super game.”

Jed Anderson is another enjoying a breakout season but he was forced from the ground at quarter-time with hamstring tightness.

Lion Mitch Robinson was ­reported just before three-quarter time for a bump that collected Higgins high and sparked a scuffle ­between the two sides.