IT ALL came down to one kick from the number one pick.

Going to the Gabba isn’t the simple equation it used to be. But this was a simple equation for North Melbourne.

Win and stay alive. Lose and forget about September.

Brad Scott’s side should never have been in this position. Twice they led by more than four goals. But twice this new look Lions side clawed their way back from nowhere.

The siren went not long after that, keeping North Melbourne’s season alive.

But only just.

Less than an hour after Hawthorn, astonishingly, leapt from seventh to third, the Kangaroos moved just below Melbourne and Geelong on percentage in ninth.

“The Kangaroos hold on by the barest of margins and they keep their season alive,” Lynch said.

While Adelaide were all but eliminated from the finals race last weekend, and Essendon made the task even harder on Saturday, Brad Scott’s side are still in the mix with a month to play.

But it didn’t come easy.

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They are a much better team than the one that won just six games last year, but will it be enough to work their way back into September?

With Brownlow Medal contender Shaun Higgins missing after a knee cleanout during the week, and with Coleman Medal leader held to just one goal, skipper Jack Ziebell stood up in southern Queensland.

Ziebell not only kicked a game-high three goals, he also amassed 26 touches in another rounded performance that keeps his name firmly in the All-Australian squad discussion.

And he wasn’t the only Roos midfielder to get the job done. Trent Dumont collected a career-high 29 touches, while Jed Anderson continued his impressive season with 25 touches of his own.

They say kids grow up fast. Well, they are growing up by the week at the Gabba.

While Rayner missed the chance to shove Brisbane above St Kilda and into 15th, he was impressive again and looks like some player. Fellow first round picks Jarrod Berry (28 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (26 disposals and three goals) starred, while Alex Witherden (22 disposals) keeps producing performances that should see him challenge Jaidyn Stephenson for the Rising Star award.

Just when the Coleman Medal race looked over, North Melbourne spearhead Brown continues to stumble at the final few hurdles.

After being held he Tasmanian is only four goals ahead of Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and five in front of dual Coleman medallist Jack Riewoldt.

The Dayne’s - Zorko and Beams - were enormous, as per usual, but it wasn’t enough to extinguish North Melbourne’s finals aspirations.

That flame is still flickering. But only just.

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