The Brisbane Lions ensured Jonathan Brown's farewell was a memorable one with a four-point victory over North Melbourne at the Gabba on Saturday evening.
Brown got to sing the Lions team song one last time, five days after his retirement, as his club made a mockery of the Kangaroos' top-four ambitions with a tense 10.10 (70) to 9.12 (66) win.
The Lions continued inconsistent North's fluctuating fortunes, as well as a nine-year Gabba drought.
Leading by 20 points at the last change, Brisbane kicked five behinds in the final quarter and held on by its fingernails for a massive morale-booster.
The Kangaroos, who were well below their best, had their chances in the dying minutes with a long-range Ryan Bastinac shot bouncing through for a behind and Drew Petrie passing when he should have aimed at the sticks.
Irishman Pearce Hanley starred with a game-high 34 possessions while the marks count of 112-39 to Brisbane told the story.
Brown was officially farewelled by the adoring Gabba faithful with a lap of honour at half-time just as the heavens opened.
The 15,862-strong crowd had stayed on their feet after giving their team a standing ovation as they headed to the sheds with a 21-point lead following a seven-goal second term.
With Dayne Zorko, Josh Green and Lewis Taylor at the dangerous best, Brisbane kicked 10 of the 11 goals after the visitors jumped to an early 22-point lead.
In fact, it took until the 23rd-minute mark of the opening term for Green to snap their first major.
But from there, until Petrie twice got out the back late in the third-quarter, the Lions ran the Kangaroos ragged.
"Big Jono Brown isn't there any more, but they've got some pace with their small guys," Petrie admitted at half-time.
North looked lethargic and lacked Brisbane's hunger following its dominant start.
Lachie Hansen was a late withdrawal and missed, while Petrie finished with four goals and Nick Dal Santo (30 disposals) and Sam Gibson (28) were also among their best.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/24342908/brisbane-lions-begin-life-after-jonathan-brown-with-four-point-win-over-north-melbourne-kangaroos/
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