<p>Bellerive Oval hasn’t played host to a great deal of classic AFL games in its era that it has been hosting games.&nbsp;</p> <p>Unfortunately, we can’t see this one going any differently on Sunday afternoon when North Melbourne hosts Brisbane.</p> <p>First on the ladder against second-last. It’s not really screaming “watch me” to the rusted-on footy fans but for the fans in Hobart, it’s the first chance they have this year to get along to a game in their backyard.</p> <p>My god it was a big week for the Roos last week. It started with the regular criticism they get after losing another game. Then they placed a media ban on Kane Cornes from interacting with their club and entering their changerooms.</p> <p>And then it ended in the same way it began, another loss, this time to the Bombers, but they had their chances to pinch it late. If only the big fella Finnbar on debut was a bit more composed to take his set shot at goal, it could have been a very different feel heading into this week.</p> <p>There were no such issues or dramas for the Lions. They brushed aside their crosstown rivals, the Gold Coast Suns in the Q-Clash, and reclaimed their place at the top of the ladder. Their premiership defence is starting to look imperious. Slowly but surely, their football on the park is beginning to match the start of the year they put together after they had banked wins without playing at their absolute best.</p> <p>What else the Lions have is nearly close to an embarrassment of riches on the selection front. Logan Morris should return to the lineup after missing the Q-Clash in place of the injured Sam Day. Kai Lohmann is also expected to return to the forward line after missing last week with a bruised sternum. Then there is the pair of Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee who have successfully returned from injuries at the lower level and are pressing their cases for an inclusion.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the Roos, Jackson Archer will need to be replaced and will spend a decent stint on the sidelines with a serious hamstring injury. But they should welcome back young bull George Wardlaw to give their midfield an extra kick.</p> <p>For the latest team news, analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Roos vs Lions prediction and preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Melbourne Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Kallan Dawson, Charlie Comben, Riley Hardeman</p> <p>HB: Luke McDonald, Aidan Corr, Caleb Daniel</p> <p>C: Zane Duursma, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Colby McKercher</p> <p>HF: Jy Simpkin, Nick Larkey, Harry Sheezel</p> <p>F: Cameron Zurhaar, Jack Darling, Finnbar Maley</p> <p>Foll: Tristan Xerri, George Wardlaw, Luke Parker</p> <p>Int: Will Phillips, Jacob Konstanty, Finn O’Sullivan, Dylan Stephens, Bailey Scott</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Brisbane Lions Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Ryan Lester, Harris Andrews, Dayne Zorko</p> <p>HB: Darcy Wilmot, Jack Payne, Noah Answerth</p> <p>C: Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry, Zac Bailey</p> <p>HF: Cam Rayner, Logan Morris, Callum ah Chee</p> <p>F: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Kai Lohmann</p> <p>Foll: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale</p> <p>Int: Jasoa Fletcher, Will Ashcroft, Levi Ashcroft, Conor McKenna, Darcy Gardiner</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Like almost everyone in the past half-decade, the Lions have absolutely dominated the Kangaroos, winning the last seven head-to-head battles.&nbsp;</p> <p>It hasn’t really been close either; the average winning margin for the Lions has been 49.5 points, with the past two matches featuring 70+ point victories.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions won their premiership last year thanks to some of the best ball movement we have seen since Clarkson’s Hawks were winning flags for fun. They sliced and diced their way through the opposition with quick-release kicks and consistently found uncontested marks, which were then hammered into their dynamic forward line.</p> <p>In a copycat league, it’s easy to see why teams have tried to implement this into their game plans, yet it appears that no one has quite nailed it.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos have tried, but like most things they've attempted this year, it hasn’t worked for them yet.</p> <p>North’s defense has been in the spotlight for much of the season due to its leaky nature, but to their credit, despite losing, they have tightened up in the past few weeks, conceding under 100 points for the first time against Port and then restricting Essendon to under 70 points.</p> <p>The issue is that they only managed to score 61 points themselves in pristine conditions under the roof. That alone encapsulates their current form, whereas Brisbane was able to unlock Charlie Cameron last week as he found his footing and hit the scoreboard in a meaningful way for the first time this season.</p> <p>It’s relatively easy to tip here: expect the Lions to pocket the points quite comfortably.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Brisbane.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>Charlie Cameron has found the goals again at the right time. At least if he didn’t last week, he’d be buzzing around the goals against the Roos. He has 10 goals against the Roos in his past four meetings… and had he kicked straight too, it could have been so much more.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Charlie Cameron.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>In a cute little subplot to last week's Q-Clash, there was the battle of the Ashcroft brothers to see who could claim the medal named in honour of their dad first.</p> <p>Older brother Will claimed the honours in a best-on-ground display, but little brother Levi has built some strong form since his debut. Expect him to top the pops for the Lions and one up his little brother with the disposal count here</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> Levi Ashcroft (30+ disposals).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Sunday, May 11, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>First Bounce: </strong>4:40pm&nbsp;AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Ninja Stadium, Hobart.</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Fox Footy/Kayo Sports.</p>