Suns hit for six as Brown stars for North

SIX-GOAL hero Ben Brown helped North Melbourne avoid another last-quarter horror show to snap its five-game season losing streak last night at Etihad Stadium.

The Kangaroos took a seven-point lead into the final term and overcame some demons for a 16.11 (107) to 14.10 (94) win over the Gold Coast in front of a crowd of 15,341.

Brown kicked two majors in almost as many minutes – the first after a questionable free kick against Brandon Matera for a throw – to bring up his first career five-goal haul.

The lead blew out to 24 points once the recalled Jed Anderson blasted through his first from close range, also after a free kick.

Callum Ah Chee gave the Suns hope with his second goal of the night, but Brown’s sixth, from the goal square after a string of handballs, gave North the breathing space it needed.

The Roos three times coughed up five-goal leads this season to lose by five points or fewer and also conceded at least five majors in the final quarter in each of the opening five rounds.

It wasn’t all good news for North, with the Match Review Panel likely to take a long look at skipper Jack Ziebell’s second-quarter bump on Matera.

Gary Ablett (45 disposals and a career-high 18 clearances) put on a midfield masterclass, doing everything but carry the Suns to a fourth win in five matches against the blue and white.

North kicked three of the last four goals of the first half to snatch a two-point lead, only for the Suns, through Michael Barlow and Matera, go back in front inside six minutes of the third term.

The Roos responded again, and there was no better moment to illustrate the changing momentum than Marley Williams catching Ablett in a tackle 15 metres from goal.

Williams managed a similar rundown a week earlier, late in the five-point loss to Fremantle, so was at least rewarded this time around.

Shaun Higgins (28 possessions), back after being a late withdrawal last week because of a hamstring injury, was pivotal with his line-breaking dash and sublime skills in an at-times haphazard contest.

Nathan Hrovat (22), Ziebell (24), after a quiet opening quarter, and impressive youngster Taylor Garner (23) also did their bit. NORTH MELB V GOLD COAST BEST 3.4 7.8 12.9 16.11 4.4 7.6 11.8 14.10 GOALS UMPIRES CROWD