North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions: A Thrilling Draw in Round 9!

It was an absolutely gripping encounter today as the North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions in Round 9 of the 2025 AFL season. The match, held at the beautiful Hobart’s Ninja Stadium, finished in a dramatic 71-71 draw. Yes, you read that right—a draw! This rare occurrence in AFL left fans on the edge of their seats, and what a way to wrap up one of the most exciting matches of the season so far.

Let’s dive into the highlights, key moments, and some of the standout players from today’s game. We’ll also look at the big picture and what this result means for both teams as they march forward in the season.

The Game: A Tale of Resilience and Missed Opportunities

From the get-go, it was clear that this was going to be a high-pressure game. North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions, currently sitting near the bottom of the ladder, were determined to put up a strong fight against the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Lions. The game was fast-paced, with the Kangaroos digging in their heels and showing incredible resilience despite Brisbane’s significant advantage in disposals and inside 50s.

Both teams struggled at times to convert their opportunities into points, which kept things exciting all the way to the final siren. With 80 seconds to go, Cam Zurhaar had a chance to kick a set shot for North Melbourne that would have sealed the game. Unfortunately, his shot drifted left and the score was locked at 71-71. Despite both teams getting a few more chances in the dying moments, neither could break the deadlock.

Brisbane’s Dominance but Missed Chances

The Lions were dominant in many of the key statistics. They outperformed the Kangaroos in disposals, recording 360 to North’s 336, and also led in tackles with 66 compared to North Melbourne’s 57. Brisbane was dominant in the midfield with a higher number of clearances, winning 32 to North’s 47, which shows that they had control for large portions of the match.

However, despite having a much higher number of inside 50 entries—51 to North’s 31—Brisbane couldn’t capitalize on their chances. Their inaccuracy in front of goal, which saw them score 10 goals and 11 behinds, proved costly. Brisbane missed several opportunities to put the game to bed, with key players like Joe Daniher and Charlie Cameron having more than enough chances to create scoreboard pressure.

Brisbane’s inability to make the most of their dominance left the door open for the Kangaroos to strike back at every opportunity.

North Melbourne’s Impressive Performance

North Melbourne may have been sitting towards the bottom of the ladder, but they certainly didn’t play like it today. The Kangaroos showed that they’re capable of taking it to the best teams in the competition, and their performance today was a testament to their growth this season.

The Kangaroos kept their composure, especially in the final stages when the game was on the line. Despite having fewer inside 50s and fewer disposals, North Melbourne’s structure held up, and their defensive pressure was impressive. Harry Sheezel, in particular, was outstanding in the midfield, helping transition the ball effectively and making key plays when it mattered most.

Their tackle pressure was also noteworthy, as they put Brisbane under consistent pressure throughout the game. While North Melbourne didn’t have the same level of efficiency inside 50, they did a great job at limiting Brisbane’s opportunities and using their chances wisely.

Key Players and Moments

There were plenty of standout players in this match, with each team having its fair share of stars. Let’s break down the top performances from both sides:

• Cam Zurhaar (North Melbourne): Known for his tough and physical presence, Zurhaar played a key role in the Kangaroos’ fight-back and was instrumental in their final quarter. His shot at goal in the dying moments of the match could have won it for North Melbourne, but his behind left the score tied. That one shot will likely be remembered as the turning point, but Zurhaar’s overall performance today showed his importance to North’s forward line.
• Harry Sheezel (North Melbourne): The young star continues to impress. Sheezel was everywhere today, gathering plenty of disposals and setting up attacking opportunities. He helped steady the Kangaroos in what was a tough midfield battle.
• Joe Daniher (Brisbane Lions): One of the shining lights for Brisbane, Daniher was a key target in attack and provided a real threat in the air. He kicked several goals and always looked dangerous when Brisbane went forward. His contributions kept the Lions in front, but inaccuracy in front of goal meant that Brisbane couldn’t put the game beyond doubt.
• Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions): Another key figure for the Lions, Cameron was a constant menace to North Melbourne’s defense. While he didn’t register as many goals as he would have liked, his pace and pressure were key factors in Brisbane’s offensive play.

Statistical Breakdown

Here’s a quick look at some of the key stats from today’s thrilling contest:

• Disposals: Brisbane led the disposals count with 360 compared to North Melbourne’s 336.
• Inside 50s: Brisbane dominated here, registering 51 inside 50s, while North Melbourne had 31.
• Clearances: North Melbourne won the clearance battle with 47 clearances compared to Brisbane’s 32.
• Tackles: Brisbane’s defensive effort saw them finish with 66 tackles while North Melbourne had 57.
• Hit-outs: The ruck battle was tight, with Brisbane edging out North by 41 hit-outs to 38.

What Does This Mean for Both Teams?

This draw is a bittersweet result for both sides. For North Melbourne, it’s a huge confidence booster. They’ve shown they can match it with the top teams and fight hard for a result, even if they didn’t come away with a win. This performance should give them the belief that they can be competitive in future games, even against the very best.

As for Brisbane, this result serves as a reality check. While they were dominant in many areas, their inability to capitalize on their chances could cost them in more crucial games later in the season. The Lions will need to work on their finishing and make sure they’re converting their inside 50 entries into goals if they’re going to make a serious push for the premiership.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Both teams have plenty to work on moving forward, but this game was a valuable learning experience. North Melbourne will take a lot of positives from the way they fought hard and limited Brisbane’s opportunities. Meanwhile, Brisbane will look to get back to basics and refine their forward play before their next match.

In the grand scheme of things, this result may not have drastically altered either team’s trajectory, but it certainly made for an entertaining and dramatic AFL spectacle.

That’s a wrap on today’s match betweenNorth Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions! With a 71-71 draw, fans have plenty to talk about. The AFL season is only getting started, and who knows what other twists and turns await us in the coming weeks?

Stay tuned for more action, and don’t forget to check out the highlights on North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions AFL’s official page.