CARLTON'S wastefulness in front of goal proved costly as North Melbourne emerged with an 11-point victory in VFL Round 3 action.

A disappointing finish to the second term coupled with not taking opportunities late saw the Blues fall at Arden Street, falling 14.15 (99) to 17.8 (110).

On a day where Flynn Young (21 disposals, three goals), Liam Reidy (14 clearances) and Billy Wilson (22 disposals) impressed, the Blues gave themselves too much to do late in the piece.

The game began in tight, congested fashion, before North Melbourne broke through with the opening goal five minutes in. Carlton responded through Flynn Young, who converted after a precise pass from Adam Saad.

Young then turned provider, delivering a sharp pass to Darcy Hogg (19 disposals, one goal), who finished truly in his first game of the season.

Tom Evans gave the Blues the lead with a clever snap over his head, but North Melbourne answered strongly with the final two goals of the term.

Liam Reidy was dominant early and continued that form across the day, finishing with 20 disposals, a commanding 14 clearances and 30 hitouts. He had strong support from Harry Charleson, who gathered 19 disposals, while Ben Camporeale was also busy early.

Matthew Cottrell intercepted at half-forward in the second term and set up Jack Ison, who converted to put Carlton back in front.

Ison made the most of his opportunities across the game, finishing with three goals from eight disposals. Flynn Young added his second after a flowing passage of play and was one of Carlton’s most dangerous players on the day.

However, North Melbourne seized control midway through the second quarter, piling on five unanswered goals to take a firm grip on the contest heading into the main break, despite the Blues having the benefit of the breeze in the second term.

Darcy Tucker opened Carlton’s second-half account, reducing the margin to four goals, before Hudson O’Keeffe then capitalised from the goal square following excellent work from Young.

Ison added his second to cut the deficit to 18 points, but North Melbourne again responded with two late goals to stretch the margin back out to 29 points at the final change.

Carlton continued to push in the last quarter, with Ashton Moir marking strongly inside 50 and converting, but North Melbourne replied immediately to halt momentum.

Wilson, who impressed with his ball use all day from half-back, launched a long-range effort from beyond 50 to keep the Blues within reach. Young’s third goal brought the margin back to 20 points midway through the term, before Ison added his third following a strong team passage from defensive 50.

The Blues continued to press to no avail, although a bright moment came late in the game, with Logan Prout kicking his first goal since returning from an ACL injury.

However, the siren sounded shortly after, as ultimately North Melbourne’s earlier run proved decisive.

NORTH MELBOURNE    4.2     9.4     14.6        17.8 (110)
CARLTON RESERVES     3.3     6.5     9.8          14.15 (99)

GOALS
Carlton: Ison 3, Young 3, Evans, Fogarty, Hogg, Moir, O’Keeffe, Prout, Tucker, Wilson

BEST
Carlton: Reidy, Young, Wilson, Saad, Charleson, Hogg

Bailey Walsh is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Journalism and Marketing). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.