A SECOND SuperClash.
Carlton will have its second helping of Good Friday football when it takes on North Melbourne in front of another sellout crowd at Marvel Stadium.
As the Blues look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2024 campaign, they’ll have to account for a plucky Roos outfit who have already shown signs of improvement this year.
For Carlton to get the job done, it’ll have to maximise its opportunities going forward like they did against Brisbane in Opening Round — and not like they did against Richmond in its last game 15 days ago.
The Blues’ pressure game will also need to be on, with the Roos showcasing just how potent their rebound from back half to front can be against GWS and Fremantle in the opening fortnight.
It’ll be a battle of contrasting styles under the roof, with Carlton relishing the contest once again in 2024, while North Melbourne looks most dangerous when it can get the ball in motion.
The Blues rank No.4 in the competition for contested possessions and No.2 for tackles per game, while North rank No.5 for handballs per game and are averaging +18 uncontested possessions per game compared to Carlton.
It’s also going to be a crucial midfield battle for the Blues, with back-to-back picks of the 2017 AFL Draft class in Luke Davies-Uniacke (pick No.4) and Adam Cerra (No.5) to renew hostilities.
North’s on-ball brigade has been a strength so far in 2024, ranked No.2 in the competition for centre clearances, with Davies-Uniacke the most potent of them all. But Cerra - who was among the Blues’ best in Opening Round and kicked a crucial goal against Richmond - and the Blues will be looking to return to their 2023 form and produce a response at the coalface after being shown up by the Tigers two weeks ago.
One player who could assist the Blues in that clearance battle is Jack Carroll, who had 20 disposals in his first full game in nearly two years against the Tigers.
After being subbed on in Opening Round, Carroll has looked to take his game to another level in 2024. And it’s not just Carlton supporters who are loving the young West Australian’s work: priced at $375,000 as a midfielder, he’s a favourite amongst AFL Fantasy fanatics as well.
With a breakeven of 26 (the lowest of any Blue), Carroll will hope for a repeat of his debut performance against North Melbourne in Round 7, 2022: his score of 87 remains a career-high to this day.
