North Melbourne have survived an almighty scare against a spirited Carlton, clinging on by the skin of their teeth for a 17-point win.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Carlton Blues 15.6.96
North Melbourne Kangaroos 17.11.113
It’s 15th versus 17th when the North Melbourne Kangaroos take on the Carlton Blues this afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:20pm AEST.
It must be frustrating being a North Melbourne or Carlton fan this season. One week they are world beaters, and the next they look like they have forgotten how to play the game. This makes this game tough to call, as it is very much a case of the winner being who turns up on the day.
Carlton can take some confidence coming into this fixture after recording two extremely valiant losses against red hot St Kilda and Fremantle sides.
Even with an injury to journeyman Sam Rowe, Carlton’s backline has been outstanding and can be credited for keeping them close in games they should’ve lost comfortably.
On the flip side of things, North Melbourne have won three of their last four games, and will look to forward Ben Brown to continue his career best form when the sides clash this afternoon. Jarrad Waite will also have something to prove when he comes up against his former club.
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History would suggest that North Melbourne should win this fixture comfortably, however nothing can be relied upon with how hot and cold these two teams consistently prove to be.
If the Blues backline performs, Carlton will win. If Brown and Waite have field days, then it’ll be the Kangaroos singing all the way back to the North.
The last time these two teams met was in Round 9, 2016 when North Melbourne prevailed comfortably – 113 to 46 at Etihad Stadium.
Prediction
I think that Ben Brown is due for a quiet game, and Carlton’s tenacity in defence could cause the forward some problems. While Carlton lack legitimate goal scoring opportunities, their hustling style of play can unsettle the Kangas. Back the underdogs for an upset today.
Carlton by 12
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:20pm AEST.
Swanny
Guest
You are bitter man. The hate is strong in u swannies. Use the force son
Swanny
Guest
Well said pope
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Gotta feel sorry for you Swannies.
Swannies
Guest
Gotta feel sorry for the Blues...they will hopefully learn from this.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report FULL TIME Kangaroos 113 DEF 96 Carlton. It was a game of unbelievable momentum swings and periods of sustained pressure from both sides. The biggest comeback win this season was from the Pies last week who came from 43 back to run over the top of the Hawks. Carlton trailed by 45 at one point and looked like they were going to break that record when they surged ahead at the start of the 4th quarter - but it was fate that the Kangaroos stormed home to win by 17. A highly enjoyable game nonetheless - the Blues will definitely be rueing their slow start. Until next time, Ciao!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
90′ Bit of a stalemate here - 40 seconds to go. As I type that, Carlton string together two long kicks and Sumner scores a nice goal. Too little too late. North Melbourne rode the Carlton wave and deserve this victory thoroughly. Kangaroos: 113 (17.11) Carlton 96 (15.6)
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
87′ GOAL KANGAS!! That will be the game. McDonald bananas one from 10 out close to the boundary. Milks every last second out of the shot clock in the process. They lead by 22 with three minutes to go. Kangaroos: 112 (17.10) Carlton 90 (14.5)
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
86′ GOAL KANGAS!! That has to be it, they cancel out Carlton's goal almost immediately. Spreading end to end, Waites finds an unmarked McDonald who bangs it home from 40m out. North Melbourne by 16. Kangaroos: 106 (16.10) Carlton 90 (14.5)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
That was Curnow, by the way, not Murphy.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
85' Murphy!!! Goal Carlton! Nearly fluffs it, but soccers it through off the ground. Ten Points it is - 5 to go! Kangaroos: 100 (15.10) Carlton 90 (14.5)
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
North Melbourne will have to lose it from here... Blues have been so valiant - the slow start will hurt them it seems.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
83′ AFL is a funny game. Great contested mark from Atley and he guides it home. Suddenly, it is North Melbourne by 16. Kangaroos: 99 (15.9) Carlton 83 (13.4)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I'm listening on the radio, but this is one hell of an intense game. Hoping like hell that Carlton can finish off this one strong. Go Blues (didn't think I'd be saying that today)!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
81' Carlton No!!!! They had an opportunity to rush a behind, instead, Macreadie opts for a Hand pass that finds itself in the hands of Atley. He scores a simple goal. North Melbourne by 10. Kangaroos: 93 (14.9) Carlton 83 (13.4)
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
80′ We roll into the last 10 minutes here. Anyone's game as North Melbourne start to gain some momentum. Kangaroos: 86 (13.8) Carlton 82 (13.4)
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
79′ Behind Carlton. Kangaroos: 86 (13.8) Carlton 83 (13.5)
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
This is going to be a ridiculous last 10. Gibbs has been unbelievable.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
75′ Goal Mason Wood! Blues with a turnover but spill it straight away - some nice build up work sees the ball in the hands of Mason Wood 45 out. He strikes it flush and North Melbourne are back in front! Kangaroos: 86 (13.8) Carlton 82 (13.4)
Swannies
Guest
Go blues...let's end North's season!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
75′ Gibbs with a great tackle on Waites. Gee he's been enormous tonight. 33 touches. Kangaroos: 80 (12.8) Carlton 82 (13.4)