Home
AFL

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions AFL Betting Tips - Kangaroos to keep the Lions honest in Round 5

Adam Cusworth

Editor

Last updated: Thu 09 Apr 2026 17:05

Adam Cusworth 09 Apr 2026

Share this article

Brisbane aims for a strong win over North Melbourne as premiership contenders.
North Melbourne shows promising improvement in 2026 with strong young talent.

Expired

North Melbourne Kangaroos take on Brisbane Lions (Getty)

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Brisbane Lions Preview
Head to Head Stats
North Melbourne Surprise Package In 2026
Brisbane Lions A Premiership Force Again
Team News

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Brisbane Lions Preview

Brisbane are looking like serious premiership contenders again and can claim a hard-fought win over North Melbourne in Gather Round. I think the Roos can stay with the Lions for much of the game and keep it within the 1-39 margin.

Both sides are averaging just under 100 points per game this season.
Luke Davies-Uniacke had 32 disposals the last time the two sides met
Charlie Cameron has kicked 2+ goals in six of his past eight against the Kangaroos
The two sides fought out a draw in their most recent outing

Head to Head Stats

The two sides fought out a draw the last time they met, which was in Round 9 of 2025 with the match played at Hobart.

Brisbane won the seven matches prior to that, including the 2023 and 2024 Gather Round matches by 75 and 70 points.

North Melbourne Surprise Package In 2026

North Melbourne have made their best start to a season since 2016 and sit 3-1 after their come from behind victory against Carlton, turning a 22-point deficit at three-quarter time to a 10-point victory.

Their other wins were agaisnt Port Adelaide by 46 and Essendon by 12, while they let slip a lead when going down to West Coast by 17 in Round 2.

Their improvement has revolved around their pressure and stoppage work, while their young guns have shown hunger and composure in the key moments.

Cooper Trembath booted three goals in the win and has kicked 3+ in five of his seven matches and in attack North Melbourne are averaging 95 points per game. They have also improved defensively, conceding 83 points per game, an improvement on last season (105).

Brisbane Lions A Premiership Force Again

After a slow an injury-effected start to the season that saw them lose their first two matches to the Western Bulldogs by five points and Sydney by 44, the Lions have bounced back with key players returning, handing St Kilda a 33 point defeat before the 54-point win over Collingwood.

They looked ominous in that victory, registering 34 scoring shots to 15, dominating the clearances (42-24) and inside 50s (64-45) through the uncontested possession chains.

Will Ashcroft picked up 36 disposals and has had 30+ in four of his past five matches, which include his Norm Smith Medal winning effort in the 2025 Grand Final.

Team News

No injuries for the Kangaroos to come out of the Carlton match. Griffin Logue will make his case for a return from a hamstring but is unlikely.

The Roos have some players that are in some solid touch in the VFL, including Brayden George, Zac Fisher and Robert Hanson Jnr, but they may struggle to break into the starting 22.

Brisbane's Noah Answerth missed the Collingwood match with concussion and a decision on his return is yet to be made.

Harris Andrews returns from suspension, while Hugh McCluggage is a chance to return from a calf injury. Darcy Gardner and Eric Hipwood remain on the sidelines.

Verdict

North Melbourne Kangaroos v Brisbane Lions

Kangas to stick with the Lions before the premiers get the upper hand when it counts in a high scoring contest. Luke Davies-Uniacke influential in the middle for North, while Charlie Cameron has scoreboard impact for Lions.

Brisbane Lions 1-39

Winning Margin 1-39

@7/5 - 1 Unit

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Over 190.5

Total Points

@6/7 - 1 Unit

Bet £10 Get £30

with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365

Luke Davies-Uniacke

To Have 30+ Disposals

@7/5 - 1 Unit

Bet £20 Get £10

Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports

Charlie Cameron

To Score 2+ Goals

@12/23 - 1 Unit

£30 Free Bet

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets