Today’s third match on Sunday of Round 4 of the AFL 2013 season is between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions. The opening bounce is set to commence at 4:40pm local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. The home team North Melbourne Kangaroos are the current favourites in a game and have been well supported. View the preview and teams for the game between North Melbourne Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions.

Round: Round 4 4:40 PM April 21, 2013
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 21° Cloud increasing.

Featured Bookmakers:

North Melbourne Kangaroos $1.31 vs Brisbane Lions $3.60 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

North Melbourne Kangaroos $1.29 vs Brisbane Lions $3.65 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

North Melbourne Kangaroos	1.31	1.28	1.29	1.28	1.31	1.31
Brisbane Lions	3.60	3.65	3.65	3.65	3.60	3.60

Preview:

It has been a tough start to the season for the Kangaroos; not only in terms of the draw, but in the way the final results of each game have been achieved.

They’ve met and led, Collingwood, Geelong in Sydney in their three opening matches only to be run down in the final stage of each game.

Their form is much better than their 0-3 record would indicate and they get the chance to get on the board for 2013 here.

The Lions looked set for better things than that have produced so far this year after winning the pre-season NAB Cup.

They were handed a hiding by Western Bulldogs in the opening round, were better in their lost to Adelaide in round two and had to dig deep to hold off the Suns last week.

They need to improve plenty on those efforts to win this.

Teams:

North Melbourne Kangaroos:
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firitto
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie MacMillan
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Ben Cunnington, Drew Petrie, Taylor Hine
F: Lindsay Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Leigh Adams
Foll: Majak Daw, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Sam Gibson, Lachie Hansen, Sam Wright, Liam Anthony, Levi Greenwood, Will Sierakowski, Brad McKenzie

IN: Anthony, Greenwood, Sierakowski, Daw, McKenzie
OUT: Tarrant (Leg), Harper (Omitted)

Brisbane Lions:
B: Jed Adcock, Daniel Merrett, Ash McGrath
HB: Sam Docherty, Joel Patfull, Andrew Raines
C: Sam Mayes, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F: Jack Redden, Stefan Martin, Niall McKeever
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Rich, Brent Moloney
I/C from: Ryan Harwood, Rohan Bewick, Marco Paparone, Patrick Karnezis, James Polkinghorne, Mitchell Golby, Jack Crisp

IN: Harwood, Karnezis, Crisp, Paparone, Docherty
OUT: Polec (foot), Yeo (omitted)

Winless Kangaroos need victory over Lions

Winless North Melbourne loom as an injury-hit Brisbane’s sternest test to date, according to Lions forward Rohan Bewick.

Pre-season cup champions the Lions finally broke their AFL season duck with a fighting two-point, third round win over local rivals the Gold Coast Suns last weekend.

However, Bewick said lining up against a side with a 0-3 record at Etihad Stadium on Sunday would reveal just how far the Lions had improved since last year.

But they will do it without Jared Polec who damaged his ankle against Gold Coast just days after fellow midfielder Claye Beams (knee) was ruled out for the season.

Brisbane were big improvers last year, winning 10 games – six more than 2011 – to finish 13th.

But they lost all eight games against teams ranked sixth to 12th by an average of 42 points.

While they savoured last round’s win, Bewick said a victory over 2012 finalists the Kangaroos would be a step in the right direction for Brisbane.

“The last few years, we have really struggled with those teams around us,” he said.

“They’re the games we’re really focusing on this year.

“We’re really going to go after those teams from 12 to six on the ladder and aim for it to not happen in the future.”

Bewick said the Lions weren’t fooled by North Melbourne’s winless season start.

“We’re not counting them as a 0-3 traditional team. We know they’re a massive game for us,” he said.

“All three teams (Kangaroos have played) – Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney – they’ve pushed them all deep into the game.

“They’re playing real good footy, real attacking footy, got a strong midfield and it’s going to take our boys’ best in the midfield.”