“There’s one statistic that stands out,” Brad Scott said after the match.
“If the opposition has as many marks as Carlton did tonight without any pressure on them whatsoever it’s pretty hard to win a game of footy.”
Heading into the game, Carlton averaged an extra five minutes in possession at Etihad Stadium. In the first term, where the signs became evident it would be a tough night at the office, the Blues spent almost two extra minutes in possession. It translated to about eight percent of the quarter; a large amount.
The time in possession was due mainly to the total marks Carlton took. In the first term the Blues had a +20 mark advantage, with the large majority being uncontested.
| Round 18, Q1 | Time in possession (%) | Total marks |
| North Melbourne | 45.8 | 19 |
| Carlton | 54.2 | 39 |
Over the next two terms, the game was very much a story of accuracy versus inaccuracy. North used its superior kicking at goal (8.4) to keep in touch with Carlton (6.10).
While the scoring rate from inside 50’s wasn’t as efficient as usual, the scoring shots in the middle two quarters largely came from the corridor and close to goal.
Six of North’s eight goals came from the corridor, while seven of the eight were from within 40 metres of goal.
The only misses came from outside 50 metres.
| Distance of shots, Q2+3 | 15-30 metres | 31-40 metres | 41-50 metres | 50+ metres |
| North Melbourne | 5.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 |
North also minimised Carlton’s marking advantage over the second and third quarters. The Blues’ 20-mark advantage in the first term evaporated, with both sides taking 48 marks.
The statistic also offered a straightforward reason as to why the Blues were able to kick away with the game in the final term.
Considering both sides were level with 48 marks in the second and third quarters, Carlton’s +26 advantage in the final term speaks for itself.
Able to control the game with their ball use, the Blues only had ten turnovers for the final quarter, with many not coming until very late. Essentially it meant once North conceded the ball, it couldn’t get it back.
| Marks by quarter | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter |
| North Melbourne | 19 | 11 | 37 | 16 |
| Carlton | 39 | 16 | 32 | 40 |
