Brisbane Lions will finish the season with the wooden spoon after losing to North Melbourne by 51 points at the Gabba.

The battle between the bottom two sides at the start of the final round was unsurprisingly lacking in quality but the Kangaroos’ superior desire saw them run out 19.16 (130) to 11.13 (79) winners in front of a crowd of 15,416.

Ben Brown was the star man kicking seven goals for North Melbourne to move within one of Coleman Medal leader Josh Kennedy of West Coast.

The Kangaroos will now likely finish the campaign in 15th spot on the ladder, leapfrogging Carlton and Gold Coast.

The Lions will have the first pick in the AFL draft for the first time in 19 years, after selecting second after the past two seasons.

Despite their lowly position, Brisbane have received plaudits for their improved play this season.

But there will be little for Chris Fagan to take from this match which was likely the worst of their campaign.

Their malaise was epitomised by a boundary throw-in which their smallest player Dayne Zorko was left to contest and the first 10 minutes of the third quarter when they mustered only 14 disposals.

The Kangaroos dominated clearances and territory early on but got little reward scoring 1.8 against the Lions’ five goals straight from just nine Inside 50s.

The second quarter was a role reversal as the Lions could only muster 0.5 and the visitors kicked 4.2, including two from Brown.

The Lions came out of the long break even more lackadaisical and their scoreless run went on until the 18 minute-mark of the third term.

In contrast the Kangaroos kicked nine straight goals to all but seal the game, ending the quarter 33 points in front.

Debutant Kangaroo Ben McKay had a horror early end to his AFL bow when he was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace after a collision with team-mate Sam Durdin late in the third quarter.

He will be taken to hospital for precautionary scans.