Details: Marvel Stadium, Saturday 24 July, 1.45pm (AEST)

Broadcast: FOX Footy, AFL app, Kayo

The game in focus: 

A last-quarter fightback saw the Blues take home the win last weekend against the Pies, giving them some momentum and confidence heading into this week's game. 

North Melbourne have been playing some impressive football as of late, and it will be up to Carlton to play a strong four quarters and make the most of their shots in front of goal. 

North feels at home at Marvel Stadium, so the Blues will need to play tough and fast-moving footy to rattle the opposition. 

While, mathematically, the Blues are still a finals chance - running out the end of the season on a high note will be their top priority. 

Last time we met: 

It was a narrow win for the Blues when they met the Roos at the Gabba in Round 8 last year. 

Although Carlton led at all stages of the game, North Melbourne started mounting a comeback early in the last term, putting them within a kick of the Blues. 

The Blues fought for the seven-point win, desperately holding on in the dying stages of the game, with Lachie Plowman eight disposals, six intercept possessions and two intercept marks in the final term. 

Without Harry McKay as a target up forward, Carlton relied on some of their midfield group to put the goals on the board, with Matt Kennedy, David Cuningham and Jack Newnes slotting two goals each. 

The midfield trio of Marc Murphy, Will Setterfield and Sam Walsh got the job done in the centre, while Ed Curnow laid a game-high ten tackles. 

Blue focus: 

The Blues strength in this clash will be their contested marking, with the Roos sitting last in the league for their marking ability in the contest. 

With the likes of Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones around the ground, it’s safe to say the ball will be in good hands if Carlton can continue their strong marking game. 

Jack Ziebell will be an issue for the Blues, with his effective kicking and marking in the defensive 50 up there with the best in the competition. 

Ziebell’s crafty play will be a challenge for the smaller forwards, but shutting him down early should give the Blues plenty of opportunities to hit the scoreboard. 

Get excited about:

Add a little, Cripps. 

It was enjoyable watching Matthew Kennedy, Paddy Dow and Sam Walsh strut their stuff in the midfield against the Pies last week, but the midfield is set to get another boost with the return of co-captain Patrick Cripps. 

The addition means not only will the Blues have some extra grunt running through the middle of the ground, but also another option in the forward line. 

Blue view:

Ed Curnow will play his 200th game for the Blues on Saturday. 

A true leader of the Club, a competitor and a character, Blues fans can all agree that Curnow has been a valuable player to the Club since 2011. 

It’ll be a special moment for Curnow to play his 200th game for the Club and he’s sure to have plenty more left in him after that. 

IT wasn't the Blues day as they fall to North by 39 points. 

Patrick Cripps kicked three goals and Sam Walsh gathered 27 disposals, but it wasn't enough to get Carlton over the line. 

Quarter one: 

Both sides had issues with turnovers early on, not able to keep possession into their forward half. Tom De Koning had his work cut out for him early, coming up against the veteran Todd Goldstein, while a superb delivery from Adam Saad saw Matt Kennedy put the first goal on the board. Carlton’s intercept game was strong as North Melbourne attempted to exit dangerous territory, with the Blues' defenders cutting off the ball higher up the ground. The youngsters put in the work, as Matt Owies booted a goal and Paddy Dow provided some classy midfield work. When North Melbourne got the ball moving, they did so quickly, transitioning down the ground with ease. Liam Jones and Lachie Plowman were busy early while Sam Walsh and Jack Silvagni picked up where they left off last week, with impressive contested efforts. Accuracy was again an issue for the Blues, with a few good opportunities missed in front of goal, leaving North with a small gap to close. 

Quarter two: 

It was a slow start for the Blues, with North having plenty of the ball, but a goal from Patrick Cripps set the tone for the term. Jack Newnes and Silvagni displayed some courageous play in the air and Jones continued to cut North off with their inside 50 delivery. Jack Martin slotted a nice goal but it was immediately answered by Tarryn Thomas. De Koning took a textbook hanger in the forward 50 while Carlton’s intercept game put them in a good position. Carlton’s tackling and physical presence was strong, with Sam Petrevski-Seton and Silvagni leading the way with four tackles each. North Melbourne’s quick transition once again resulted in uncontested shots on goal, putting their nose in front until Ed Curnow delivered a spectacular dribbling goal in his 200th game, putting the Blues two points ahead at half time. 

Quarter three: 

Marc Murphy was subbed in for Zac Williams, who injured his hamstring in the final stages of first half. Jaidyn Stephenson slotting his third goal wasn’t the start the Blues hoped for, with North Melbourne piling on the scoreboard pressure in the third quarter. North’s ability to move the ball from Carlton’s forward line to their own was clean and effective, leaving the Blues trying to make up ground. The Blues lack of tall forward options saw them getting out marked in their 50, as Zac Fisher, Eddie Betts and Owies tried to pick up the crumbs against a classy North Melbourne defence. 
 
Quarter four: 
 
A goal from Newnes was a solid start for the Blues, with Dow (23 disposals) able to grab it straight from the centre. North replied quickly and continued to dominate possession. Fisher finally slotted a goal after kicking three behinds while Cripps tried to out-muscle North in the centre bounces. Nick Larkey proved to be an absolute nightmare matchup for Carlton’s defence, kicking seven goals for the game. Cripps stepped up and kicked two final-quarter goals, but it was to little avail as the Roos ran away with a 39-point goal.

Match summary 

CARLTON                              2.5    5.6   5.10   11.11 (77)
NORTH MELBOURNE           3.1    5.4    12.6.   18.8 (116)

GOALS
Carlton: Cripps 3, Kennedy 2, Newnes 2, Owies, Martin, Curnow, Fisher

BEST
Carlton: Newnes, Silvagni, Newman, De Koning, Curnow, Cripps

INJURIES
Carlton: Williams (hamstring), Betts (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
Carlton: Murphy (replaced Williams)