Carlton coach Mick Malthouse boasts more than 40-years in football circles and it’s little wonder he has great respect for a club with whom he’s waged many great battles.

“North Melbourne…I’ve got a high regard for them. Outside of the way they’re run, which I think has been very good. Outside of their coach (Brad Scott), who I enjoyed his company and is a terrific young man. My encounters from North Melbourne from 1972 forward have always been physical, hard fought, great respect encounters.”

While the more-seasoned Malthouse has the wood over his former counterpart Scott in their coaching duels (three wins from three games), he is fully aware of the Kangaroos’ ability to perform under pressure.

"That will not change, on the basis of one week, two weeks, half-a-year, whatever the case may be,” he said of North’s fighting spirit.

“We know that we're in for a very solid test."

While North has an up-and-down season, it’s been a similar story at the Blues. Four losses in the last five games mean Carlton’s finals chances are on the line on Friday night.

However, Malthouse admits the focus will be on stopping the opposition first, namely the Roos’ key-forwards in Drew Petrie, Robbie Tarrant and Aaron Black.

"Read the play: we have to address what they're going to throw at us. We're not a side that can just go out and say, 'there's our best 22, you play against them'. We have to look at the opposition and say, 'that’s their best 22, how do we play against them?'."

Carlton will be without Jarrad Waite in attack, and Lachlan Henderson may be forced to go back given North’s raft of tall options. It makes for an intriguing battle as the Blues’ smalls look to get off the leash, while at the other end a three-pronged attack loom as potential match-winners.