North Melbourne proved much too strong for an experimental Brisbane Lions line-up in Friday's NAB Challenge match played in difficult, swirling conditions at Princes Park, but the win didn't satisfy coach Dean Laidley who called for the practice match series to be scaled-back.

Fielding 11 first and second-year players, the Lions were short on class and continuity compared to the Kangaroos who are much more forward in their preparation as the 13.7 (85) to 7.11 (53) scoreline would indicate.

Corey Jones led the way up forward for North with four goals and while Brent Harvey picked up where he left off last season with a best-afield performance, there was plenty to like in the efforts of young defenders Gavin Urquhart and Scott Simpson.

Afterwards Laidley questioned what was achieved by playing four NAB Cup or NAB Challenge series matches and called on the league to "cut these games down".

"To be honest I don't really know if that sort of footy in these games helps your preparation," Laidley said.

"I like the NRL idea of two games and then you're into it."

"There were no injuries from both sides which was pleasing and the positive for us was Corey Jones' return and Gavin Urquhart took another step."

Tim Notting was Brisbane's leading goal-scorer with three and led by example in the final term when the Lions outscored North five goals to two.

Lachlan Henderson's hard leading and straight kicking earned Brisbane the first goal inside the second minute of the match, but it was all North for the remainder of the term.

Corey Jones bagged two from strong, courageous grabs though Brisbane turnovers by hand and foot including a shocking back pass by Rhan Hooper, who had a dirty day, straight to Leigh Brown contributed directly to North's three other majors for the quarter.

Brisbane forwards Jamie Charman and Jared Brennan standing in for Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw were starved of opportunities as North took a stranglehold in the second term, keeping the visitors goal-less with the breeze while adding three of their own to open up a 50-point lead at the main break.

It was a lead built on the hard work and creativity of old stagers such as Brent Harvey, who had 17 possessions and four assists to half-time, Jess Sinclair (14) and Adam Simpson (13).

Anthony Corrie provided plenty of run and rebound from half-back to be the Lions' best first-half ball-winner with 11 touches while East Fremantle recruit Bradd Dalziell and second-year midfielder Albert Proud, who finished the match with 29 disposals, were busy also.

But too often the Lions looked inboard or laterally for their first option and it got them nowhere. An inevitable handling error or intercept would set the Kangaroos on their way.

It wasn't until 17 minutes into the third quarter that Notting slotted Brisbane's second goal for the match, but by that time North had 11 on the board.

Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews was relieved to get through unscathed and pleased to get some important match-time into his youngsters in particular.

"The first thing you want from the footy at this time of year is no injuries and we seemed to get through OK, got some good match minutes into a lot of players," Matthews said.

"It was difficult conditions because the wind was blustery and we were pretty horrible in the first half but in the second half they got a bit of rhythm in their game."

"I thought (the senior players) struggled today to be honest, we were better when we put the kids on and took the experienced players off."

Matthews said Jonathan Brown would be one of 'six-to-eight' inclusions for next week's NAB Challenge match at Carrara against either St Kilda or Geelong.

NORTH MELBOURNE: 6.2, 9.6, 11.7, 13.7 (85)
BRISBANE LIONS: 1.1, 1.4, 2.7, 7.11 (53)

GOALS: North Melbourne: Jones 4, Brown 2, Campbell 2, Grant, Thomas, Edwards, Urquhart, McMahon
Brisbane Lions: Notting 3, Henderson, Mills, Kiel, Corrie
BEST: North Melbourne: Harvey, Simpson, Jones, McIntosh, Sinclair, Firrito
Brisbane Lions: Corrie, Proud, Notting, Selwood, Dalziell, Lappin, Sherman
INJURIES: North Melbourne: Nil
Brisbane Lions: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: Head, K.Nicholls, Hay
CROWD: 1500 est. at MC Labour Park