North Melbourne will look to rejuvenate their finals hopes against an equally desperate Carlton at Etihad Stadium tonight. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.50pm AEST.
The Kangaroos’ flailing finals hopes could diminish with a loss tonight, while a win for Carlton could make them a front-runner amid the pack eyeing off eighth spot on the ladder, with Collingwood seemingly safe in seventh with an eight-point buffer.
In team news, the Blues have named an unchanged line-up, while the Kangaroos welcome back Lindsay Thomas and Scott McMahon at the expense of Michael Firrito and Levi Greenwood – both of whom have been omitted.
The ninth-placed Blues (seven wins, eight losses) are sitting on the fringe of the top eight after snapping a four-game losing streak in Round 16, outlasting a gutsy but unpolished St Kilda side.
At 11th on the ladder, the Kangaroos (six wins, nine losses) are situated alongside the Lions and Crows, and now look to be long shots to play finals this year.
The Kangaroos will be smarting after again letting slip a significant lead that will only add to coach Brad Scott’s dismay at his team’s inability to win close contests this year.
The past two weeks have been indicative of the Kangaroos’ form this season; after climbing all over Richmond one week, they arrived at the Gabba in Round 16 only to fall victim to another unlikely Brisbane comeback.
Their turbulent form has seen them continually oscillate between their scintillating best and woeful worst, inflating and then puncturing the same belief they have instilled in North fans.
For Carlton, the expectation that they’d give the top four a shake in 2013 has been abandoned and their chances of a finals appearance hinge on the next few weeks.
They’ll be encouraged by the efforts of Lachie Henderson up forward as cover for Jarrad Waite, and hoping their midfield quality will edge them over the line in what is bound to be an almighty struggle for survival in 2013.
Both teams will be looking to use tonight’s game as a momentum boost from which they can put underwhelming seasons to date behind them, discover a pulse and move into contention to stir up problems in September.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
A good old fashioned choking contest!
Milz
Guest
That's the end of the Roos for the year.
Jack
Guest
Xrazy
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
We've witnessed a thriller here tonight, with Carlton doing just enough to hold off a fast-finishing Kangaroos outfit! 'Til next time
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Full Time Disposals: North: Harvey 26, Adams 25, Thompson 23. Carlton: Simpson 28, Walker 23.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Full Time Goals: Carlton: Garlett 4, Henderson 3, Curnow 2, Betts 2, Yarran 2, Tuohy 2, Murphy. North: Thomas 6, Petrie 4, Harvey, Bastinac, McKenzie, Ziebell, Macmillan, Wells.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Carlton are right back in the mix after tonight's win, but this could spell the end of North's finals hopes.
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Kreuzer takes a big defensive mark and pumps it long! It's a turnover but the siren sounds as North are 65m out from their goal! Carlton win by a point! Final Score: NM 16.12 (108) Carl 16.13 (109)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
42 seconds to go!
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Kreuzer wins a contested mark in the right forward pocket. He sprays it right across the face and it's out on the full!
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
North are still alive and they work the ball forward again and it ends up with Petrie - who takes a mark 30m out on a tough angle! He goes back and wobbles it through! Goal North! Q4 - 02:00 left: NM 16.12 (108) Carl 16.13 (109)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Excellent work by Henderson to shrug off a tackle sees the ball end up with Armfield who takes a mark 30m out on a slight angle! He goes back but pushes it across the face! Behind Carlton Q4 - 03:20 left: NM 15.12 (102) Carl 16.13 (109)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Garlett takes a contentious sliding mark 47m out. He goes back, runs around and hits the post! Behind Carlton Q4 - 05:00 left: NM 15.12 (102) Carl 16.12 (108)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
North trail by five points!
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Hugh mark from Petrie in the centre of the ground. He dishes off to Harvey, and a chain of handballs ends with Thomas waltzing into an open goal! Goal North! Q4 - 07:40 left: NM 15.12 (102) Carl 16.11 (107)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Almost another goal from a stoppage - this time it's Judd who's roving and he hits the post! Behind Carlton Q4 - 08:00 left: NM 14.12 (96) Carl 16.11 (107)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Swallow breaks through the centre and launches it long to the goal-square! It's just a behind here as it sneaks past the post! Behind North Q4 - 09:00 left: NM 14.12 (96) Carl 16.10 (106)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Pulsating stuff here - North work it into their forward 50 and Petrie's tackle ties it up. Wells roves the pack and runs into an open goal! Goal North! Q4 - 10:30 left: NM 14.11 (95) Carl 16.10 (106)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Carlton respond! After working the ball into their forward 50, Yarran breaks and runs into an open goal to restore Carlton's buffer! Goal Carlton! Q4 - 13:00 left: NM 13.11 (89) Carl 16.10 (106)
Richard Withers
Roar Guru
Petrie takes a strong mark right in front 30m out. He goes back and drills it! Goal North! The margin is back to 11 points! Q4 - 13:40 left: NM 13.11 (89) Carl 15.10 (100)