The two sides played out a nail-biter in their last meeting late last year, with the Blues eventually running out one-point victors.
Teams
North Melbourne
B: Michael Firrito, Scott Thompson, Scott McMahon
HB: Shaun Atley, Lachlan Hansen, Sam Wright
C: Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Levi Greenwood
HF: Brent Harvey, Aaron Black, Nick Dal Santo
F: Ben Brown, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell
Int: Ryan Bastinac, Ben Jacobs, Leigh Adams, Luke McDonald
Emer: Brad McKenzie, Majak Daw, Aaron Mullett
In: Jack Ziebell, Luke McDonald
Out: Aaron Mullett, Brad McKenzie (both omitted)
Carlton
B: Michael Jamison, Sam Rowe, Zach Tuohy
HB: Chris Yarran, Kade Simpson, Andrejs Everitt
C: Nick Graham, Chris Judd, Mitch Robinson
HF: Dale Thomas, Levi Casboult, Brock McLean
F: Marc Murphy, Lachie Henderson, Troy Menzel
Fol: Cameron Wood, Bryce Gibbs, Ed Curnow
Int: David Ellard, Tom Bell, Sam Docherty, Simon White
In: Cameron Wood, Mitch Robinson, Troy Menzel
Out: Andrew Walker (knee), Robert Warnock (omitted), Blaine Johnson (omitted)
Leading into the bye
North Melbourne’s record in the game before a week off makes for unpleasant reading. The last five outings (Gold Coast x2, Hawthorn x2, Collingwood) have all resulted in losses.
The critical period has been at different times of each loss before a bye, indicating it hasn’t been a particular area of the game which has consistently cost the Roos. It shows that more so than ever, the calls for a four quarter performance from the playing list must be heeded on Friday night.
A victory before the week off will leave North well placed to push towards a home final and perhaps even an outside chance of a top-four spot.
Six day breaks/strong finishes
Both North Melbourne and Carlton will be coming off six day breaks, and in the Blues’ case it will be their second in a row.
The hard and fast surface at Etihad will differ greatly from the sides’ last outings at Blundstone Arena and the SCG respectively, meaning the strain and workload will likely be greater on the players.
If fitness and the ability to run out a game come into account, North’s second half record will likely see it favoured. So far this season the Roos have won 22 second half quarters compared to the Blues’ 15.
Brad Scott v Mick Malthouse
So far this season, North has registered wins over a Ross Lyon and John Longmire side for the first time under Brad Scott. However, Malthouse-led sides are still undefeated (4-0) against Scott’s Roos, an issue which can be rectified on Friday night.
There are perfectly reasonable explanations for all of those four losses, making the record the furthest possible thing from a ‘hoodoo’. Despite that, a win over his coaching mentor will no doubt be a rewarding footnote to the clash at Etihad for Scott and his team.
The other current coaches North has yet to defeat under Scott are Mark Thompson (0-2) and Leon Cameron (yet to play).
Record at Etihad Stadium
While Carlton’s 5-11 record for 2014 isn’t a flattering sight, the more relevant record is 4-2, the Blues’ win-loss record at Etihad this season.
It arguably should be 5-1 if not for an unexpected Geelong comeback, and in the other loss Carlton was just as good as Port Adelaide for the first three quarters.
After a shaky start at the venue, North has won the last three games at its home ground. With another three matches at Etihad before the home and away season concludes, it’s an opportunity to build it back into a fortress once again.
