CARLTON has continued its winning run - and ended its run of thrilling finishes - with a comprehensive 56-point win over North Melbourne.

Coming away victorious in the Good Friday SuperClash for the second straight year, the Blues had contributors all over the field - and a fierce attack on the opposition - in the resounding win. 

With 11 individual goalkickers, the Blues kicked at least five goals in each quarter, with Harry McKay contributing a handful of his own to continue his outstanding start to 2024.

Quarter one

On a big day for both football clubs, it was North Melbourne who looked to take the fight to Carlton, starting strongly under the roof for the second straight week. The Blues were wasteful with ball in hand while the Roos maximised their opportunities, recording three of the first four goals to put the Blues on the back foot. The challenge was put to Carlton’s midfield group during the week to respond, and that they did, with the likes of George Hewett and Adam Cerra (one goal each) pivotal in reversing Carlton’s first-quarter fortunes. The Blues began to hunt in packs all over the ground, with Corey Durdin - starting a game for the first time in 2024 - reaping the rewards with an opportunistic finish close to goal. Just as they did in last year’s Good Friday SuperClash, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay loomed large, while the desire of Carlton’s half-backs in Jordan Boyd (seven first-quarter disposals) and Adam Saad to defend with speed high up the ground was evident. The only blight in the Blues’ second half of the quarter was their inefficiency in front of goal, kicking five goals from 11 scoring shots as they turned an 11-point deficit into a 16-point quarter-time lead.

Quarter two

The Blues looked to continue their energetic finish to the first term when proceedings opened for the second, quickly emerging out of the gates with two goals. There was a lengthy hold-up in play after an injury to North Melbourne’s Callum Coleman-Jones called for the stretcher. Upon the game’s resumption, the Blues looked to continue getting in the face of the opposition, evidenced by Durdin’s repeat pressure acts inside 50 directly leading to a goal to housemate Jack Carroll. Cerra continued his strong showing on both sides of the ball with four tackles in the second quarter alone, while Elijah Hollands got more and more involved in his first game as Blue, both with ball in hand and in the pressure stakes. Nic Newman was typically a sure head behind the ball, while Jacob Weitering marked his return with some crucial defensive moments on the last line. McKay continued his imposing early-season form with an almighty contested mark, leading to his third of the half, but two late goals to North Melbourne meant the Blues’ 40-point lead was cut to 29 at the main break. 

Quarter three

The third quarter followed the same pattern of the first, with North looking to get the ball in motion through handball chains. After conceding the opening goal of the term, the Blues sprung into gear in what turned out to be a fiery third term, with Carlton’s physicality at the contest a key theme. Despite leading the disposal count comfortably, the Blues were also well ahead in the tackling stakes, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. To no surprise,  Patrick Cripps led from the front in that regard, having more contested possessions than anyone on the ground inside the opening three quarters as well as six clearances: one effort in particular, which led to another McKay goal, typified the Blues’ endeavour. Carlton’s willingness to fight it out to the last whistle was evident in rundown defensive tackles from Zac Williams and Mitch McGovern, despite being well ahead on the scoreboard. Bringing up the century before the final change, the Blues led by 35 points at the final change.

Quarter four

Orazio Fantasia was subbed into the game for Corey Durdin at the final change, before the Blues found themselves with three on the bench after Caleb Marchbank came from the ground following a heavy collision. Immediately into the action, Fantasia had the chance for his first Carlton goal, but unselfishly found Matthew Owies, who duly converted his third goal of the second half. After two tight finishes in the opening fortnight, the Blues - and their supporters - would’ve been relieved by the comfort they had on the scoreboard, but it didn’t stop the team from running out the game all guns blazing. One player who lived that was Elijah Hollands, who had 16 second-half disposals as well as kicking his first Carlton goal to cap things off. Not to be outdone, Fantasia turned from provider to assister just moments later, also opening his Carlton account as the Blues registered their third-highest score under Michael Voss in the 56-point win. 

NORTH MELBOURNE      3.2     6.3       11.5          12.9 (81)

CARLTON                          5.6     10.8     16.10        21.11 (137)

GOALS
Carlton: McKay 5, Curnow 4, Owies 3, Durdin 2, Acres, Carroll, Cerra, Cripps, Fantasia, Hewett, Hollands

BEST
Carlton: McKay, Cripps, Hewett, Curnow, Cerra, Weitering, Fogarty