North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley has called for the AFL pre-season to be shortened, believing his side's 32-point win over Brisbane at Princes Park served little purpose.

Both sides were beaten in their opening NAB Cup games last weekend, condemning them to a series of AFL-organised practice matches against fellow pre-season losers around Australia for three weeks.

Laidley sees little value in having too many meaningless practice games, and believes the National Rugby League's quick-fire pre-season is a far better idea.

"I don't really know if that sort of footy in these games helps your preparation to be honest," Laidley said after his side's 13.7 (85) to 7.11 (53) win over an understrength Lions outfit.

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

"I know it's 26 players and you're trying to give everyone enough minutes, but we've still got another two weeks of it."

In blustery conditions, the Kangaroos took control with a six-goal blitz in the opening quarter and only let up in the final term, Corey Jones leading the way with four goals.

Brisbane, minus many of their big guns including Jonathan Brown and Simon Black, kicked the first goal of the match through rookie Lachlan Henderson.

From then on it was one-way traffic for the Roos who dominated the midfield, with Brent Harvey especially busy, and delivered quality supply to a forward line stacked with tall options.

The Roos still found plenty of routes to goal without comeback forward Nathan Thompson, who was rested after returning from a long-term knee injury successfully last week.

Jones and Leigh Brown each kicked two goals in the opening term, then were well on top in the second to take a 50-point lead to halftime.

The Lions didn't register their second goal until the 16-minute mark of the third quarter, when Tim Notting goalled to reduce an embarrassing margin to below 10 goals.

Jones kicked his fourth early in the final term, before Notting kicked his second and third goals as the Lions booted five goals to two in the quarter to add some respectability to the scoreline.

Lions coach Leigh Matthews said he was relieved to get through another pre-season match with no injuries.

But he promised he would unleash Brown for his first match of the season in the side's practice game next week.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP