We open the split round with a fascinating clash between the Carlton Blues and the North Melbourne Kangaroos from Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm AEST.
With just five wins this season, the Blues find themselves stuck on 14th place on the ladder. If they still have finals aspirations, this is surely their last chance.
It wasn’t supposed to be that way this year. After a win and a narrow loss in the finals last year, the Blues felt a premiership window was opening.
They had the highly decorated Mick Malthouse coaching. Chris Judd, a dual Brownlow Medallist, was still going strong. They recruited free agent Dale Thomas. They had a list of keen young players who looked set to take the next step.
Defeats in their first four games meant the Blues have been behind the pace all season, and haven’t looked like catching up. The frustration spilled over as they were belted by the Swans last Saturday, with Malthouse in several heated clashes with the media.
But on their day, there’s no reason they can’t match it with the best. Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy still have plenty of class around the ground. Thomas has played every game but hasn’t been anywhere near his best; if he can turn back his form to the glory days at Collingwood, he can offer the Blues some spark.
For North Melbourne, it’s a welcome return to the spotlight of Friday night. And it’s come at a good time for them, currently in sixth spot.
It’s been an enigmatic season for the Kangaroos. At their best, they’ve challenged the high-flyers; claiming the scalps of Port Adelaide, Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn. At other times they’ve crashed to inexplicable losses at the hands of Essendon, Adelaide and Brisbane.
They’re not a team of superstars, but coach Brad Scott has moulded them into an effective unit.
Much of their drive comes from the ruck, with Todd Goldstein furthering his credentials as one of the best ruckmen in the league. In the midfield, Sam Gibson and Ryan Bastinac pick up stacks of touches every week. Joining them in the middle of the ground is Brent ‘Boomer’ Harvey. Well into his 30s, when most other players would have given it away, Boomer is still going strong and leading the way.
For Carlton, this is the last chance saloon; a loss here and they can officially kiss their finals hopes goodbye. For North Melbourne, this is a chance to consolidate their position in the top eight as we begin our run home to the finals.
Join us live on The Roar from 7:30pm as we bring you the action, and leave your thoughts, observations and cyber-barracking in the comments below.
Pope Paul vii
Guest
Craparama North. Just a point, if you are in the clear, don't p*ss about, kick the b*astard. Never in the fight. Carlton gave you a touch up.
mds1970
Roar Guru
It's been a season of frustration for Carlton, but tonight they turned it around, claiming the scalp of a finals contender. And they made it look comfortable; with the Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs getting plenty of the ball around the ground, while Jarrad Waite and Lachie Henderson made themselves useful targets up forward. The Blues faithful must be wondering where this form has been all year - if they'd played all season like they played tonight, they'd be genuine finals contenders. For the enigmatic North, it was another baffling instalment in an inconsistent season. They've beaten some top teams, but inexplicably crashed to lower teams. That inconsistency has certainly cost them a top four position, and means they're no certainties to finish in the top eight; although at the moment they're still in the 8. Thanks for joining us on The Roar for tonight's game. There's plenty of footy to come, and I'll be at Spotless Stadium tomorrow night to see my beloved Giants against the Cats. And there'll be plenty of live blogs as the footy action continues. Good night everyone, and enjoy the weekend's footy!
mds1970
Roar Guru
Some frustrating moments this year, but you'll enjoy this one.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Carlton 16.13 (109) def North Melbourne 13.8 (86) Goals : Carlton - L Henderson 6, J Waite 4, B Gibbs 2, N Graham, C Wood, C Judd, C Yarran. North Melbourne - L Thomas 4, B Cunnington 2, B Harvey 2, L Greenwood 2, J Ziebell, D Petrie, N Dal Santo. Best : Carlton - J Waite, K Simpson, B Gibbs, L Henderson, C Yarran, C Judd. North Melbourne - T Goldstein, A Swallow, S Wright, N Dal Santo, L Greenwood, B Harvey.
Jack
Guest
I'm a blues fan I tipped north.... A bit frustrates why didn't we play like this all year
Dobbo
Guest
I knew I should of backed the blues at $4.40 instead of India in the cricket !
mds1970
Roar Guru
Henderson was sensational tonight, and surely Carlton have to play Waite every week. I wrote in my preview that Carlton would struggle to kick a winning score - and without those two, they would have. Carlton have got to keep those two up forward.
mds1970
Roar Guru
I didn't tip them either - but North Melbourne games are notoriously hard to pick. As a GWS Giants fan, I fancy our chances against them in a couple of weeks, simply because of what an enigma the Kangaroos are.
mds1970
Roar Guru
The strains of "We are the Navy Blues, we are the all dark Navy Blues" rings across Etihad Stadium as the Carlton faithful revel in their upset win. Carlton had been under siege after some indifferent performances in recent weeks. But they were easily the superior side tonight. Showing a desperation, a determination, that had been so conspicuously absent so often this season, they attacked every possession and worked the ball forward with regularity. Some inaccurate kicking, especially in the third term, kept the Kangaroos in the hunt; but in the end, the weight of possession won out and they kept creating chances. And in the last term, they went on to make every post a winner, and with the scent of victory in their nostrils, they weren't letting go. Lachie Henderson was the star, with a six-goal haul; the best bag for the Blues in many a long year. And Jarrad Waite, out of favour for much of the season, made the most of being a late inclusion with a strong performance. And for the Kangaroos, it was another that got away. For all the scalps they've taken against top teams - and they've beaten Sydney, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Fremantle this year - they drop games against lower-ranked teams. And they did that again tonight. Although they were within striking distance for three quarters, they were never able to take the lead and in the end, when the game was there to be won, they were unable to find the spark that would see them overtake the Blues.
Mark
Guest
I feel silly for not picking Carlton knowing how inconsistent a North are
mds1970
Roar Guru
And the final siren sounds. A huge win for Carlton, bitter disappointment for the Kangaroos. CARLTON 16.13 (109) def NORTH MELBOURNE 13.8 (86)
mds1970
Roar Guru
Yarran from the boundary finds Mitch Robinson on the edge of the square, but Robinson can't hold the mark and it's a ball-up.
mds1970
Roar Guru
30 minutes 4th quarter - Carlton 16.13 (109) North Melbourne 13.8 (86) Gibson to Black to Greenwood, who marks 35 out for the Kangaroos. Greenwood makes no mistake, but it's too little too late for the Kangaroos.
mds1970
Roar Guru
28 minutes 4th quarter - Carlton 16.13 (109) North Melbourne 12.8 (80) Black goes up forward for the Kangaroos, and finds Lindsay Thomas on the lead from 30 metres. Goes back and kicks his 4th, but it's a consolation goal only for the Kangaroos, they're too far behind to take this game.
mds1970
Roar Guru
26 minutes 4th quarter - Carlton 16.13 (109) North Melbourne 11.8 (74) Here come the Blues again, as Dale Thomas finds Lachie Henderson on the lead 40 metres out. It's all Carlton now. Henderson comes in, looking for his 4th for the quarter and his 6th for the game. Makes no mistake.
mds1970
Roar Guru
25 minutes 4th quarter - Carlton 15.13 (103) North Melbourne 11.8 (74) Blues run the length of the ground, and Henderson marks 20 out on an angle. Challenged late by Majak Daw, and his Carlton opponents run in to remonstrate. Not reported, no 50 metre penalty. But it doesn't matter. What matters is that Henderson kicks the goal, opening up a 29-point lead. If the game wasn't safe before, it certainly is now.
mds1970
Roar Guru
23 minutes 4th quarter - Carlton 14.13 (97) North Melbourne 11.8 (74) Kangaroos back inside 50. Levi Greenwood has a quick snap but misses.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Kangaroos have the ball up forward. A string of boundary throw-ins. But Graham intercepts for the Blues, stopping the Kangaroo charge and taking his time to run down some of the clock before kicking the ball out of trouble. The Kangaroos just can't get a goal this quarter.
mds1970
Roar Guru
20 minutes 4th quarter - Carlton 14.13 (97) North Melbourne 11.7 (73) Last roll of the dice for North Melbourne as they run it forward. Cunnington on the run from 35 out, somehow misses. The Kangaroos really needed that, and can't get it.
Jack
Guest
Blues could of won by 60 if they kicked..... Where has this been all year