Cellar dwellers North Melbourne have given AFL premiers Brisbane an almighty run, the two sides playing out a thrilling draw — but the Kangaroos are sweating on a decision from the match review officer after an incident involving Luke McDonald.

Brisbane’s Jarrod Berry was subbed out in the first quarter with concussion after a heavy collision with McDonald off the ball.

But in what looks set to be one of the most contentious and intriguing calls this year, the MRO will have to determine if McDonald’s hit was a reportable action — in which case it would incur a three-match suspension — or not.

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“This (will be) something incredibly tight to decide,” Fox Sports’ David Zita said during the broadcast.

“If it is reportable, if what he did was careless — that’s the question the MRO will have to ask — then it will be a three-match ban because of the outcome, which was the concussion to Berry.

“But first, it has to be determined if it was a reportable action.

“Were his actions careless? Did he see Berry, (and if so), at what point did he see him?

“(They are) the questions the MRO is going to have to ask himself and use every angle available to him, because that’s as tough an incident to assess as I’ve seen for quite some time.

“Certainly one the MRO will potentially be losing some sleep over in the next 12-24 hours.”

The dramatic incident was outshone by the drama of the game itself though, which could have gone in several different directions before the clubs couldn’t be split in the 10.11 (71) to 10.11 (71) result.

The lead changed hands multiple times in the final 10 minutes. The Kangaroos had the better of the opportunities to steal the win at the death, but couldn’t land the killer blow.

Kangaroos forward Cameron Zurhaar had a tough shot from the boundary with his side down by one point with about 80 seconds left, but he managed just a behind.

The Kangaroos then had a run inside 50 in the final minute, before Lions defender Jack Payne spoiled a potential mark.

North, who hadn’t beaten Brisbane in their previous seven clashes, hit the lead with 10 minutes to play when Jacob Konstanty slotted a goal off a free kick.

Brisbane got themselves back in front though Zac Bailey after North were pinged for kicking in danger.

The scores were then levelled at 70-70 when Cameron Raynor slotted a set shot with about five minutes on the clock.

The visitors had their noses ahead when Eric Hipwood hit a behind with three minutes left, before Zurhaar returned the favour at the other end.

The Kangaroos were down 20-40 at halftime and it appeared Brisbane would pull away.

But North fought back to reduce the deficit to 51-42 at the start of the final quarter.

Both sides left points out on the park, missing gettable shots throughout the contest.

Raynor and Hipwood both kicked three goals for Brisbane for the game, while Zurhaar and Jack Darling both bagged two for the Kangaroos.

In what appeared an ominous sign, the Lions booted the first goal of the match after just 25 seconds through Levi Ashcroft.

But North Melbourne held their own and could have potentially taken the lead into the first break if not for some loose shots in front of goal.

- With AAP