The Blues would make their second preliminary final in three years, and were not going to let this chance of premiership glory slip. Such was the interest in this game it was televised live on TV into Melbourne, which is a rarity even to this day.

The week preceding the game had brought heavy rain and the centre square was nothing short of a quagmire. This suited Carlton because North Melbourne's ruckman Corey McKernan couldn't use his athleticism at stoppages because he literally couldn't jump out of the mud! Furthermore, the umpires were forced to throw the ball up instead of bouncing it which suited the wily veteran Justin Madden just fine and because of this he generally gave our on-ballers first use of the football.

After a strong third quarter by the ‘Roos (who kept us goalless), they were expected to run all over Carlton as they had the best final quarter record of any team that year, but despite this the Blues pumped North with a seven-goal final quarter to blaze our way into the grand final.

The twin forward line of Brad Pearce and Stephen Kernahan had nights out with 7.7 between them, and could have had more but for some shonky kicking, especially for Kernahan. Earl Spalding was prominent early when the game was there to be won, especially in the second quarter, as was Anthony Koutoufides. Brett Ratten would earn 29 stats, and was backed up by our rebounding, high-possession half-back line of Michael Sexton, Ang Christou and Andrew McKay.

The biggest defensive spot belonged to Stephen Silvagni, who was assigned to North legend Wayne Carey, and beat him hands-down. Carey kicked a goal, but "SOS" earned more stats (and did more than he was asked) out at the more unusual position of centre half-back. Carey's was the only goal scored against SOS during the entire 1995 final series, in which Silvagni stood star players like Brisbane's Darryl White and Geelong's God (Gary Ablett).

The Blues had thrashed North by 10 goals, and now found themselves in the 1995 grand final.

Injuries were Carlton's worry leading into the grand final, with Scott Camporeale missing this match through injury, Fraser Brown doing an ankle early in the first quarter and Greg Williams and Peter Dean concussed.

Carlton 4.3 (27) 11.5 (71) 11.7 (73) 18.10 (118)
North Melbourne 2.1 (13) 5.4 (34) 8.6 (54) 8.8 (56)

Venue: MCG

Date: Saturday September 23, 1995 (N)

Umpires: A.Coates, D.Goldspink & B.Sheehan

Crowd: 72,552

Goalkickers: B.Pearce 4, S.Kernahan 3, C.Bradley 3, G.Williams 2, A.Christou 1, M.Hanna 1, M.Clape 1, A.Koutoufides 1, G.Manton 1, D.Rice 1

Best: S.Kernahan, J.Madden, A.McKay, S.Silvagni, B.Ratten, M.Hanna, C.Bradley, A.Koutoufides

Reports: Nil

Injuries: F.Brown (ankle), M.Hogg (cut head), G.Williams (concussion) & P.Dean (concussion)

 Article with thanks to Blueseum.org