IN SEARCH of their first win of the 2025 VFL season, the Carlton Reserves fell agonisingly short against North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval.  

 In a back-and-forth affair, the Blues went down in a nail biter to the Kangaroos, with the home side holding on for a 12.12 (84) to 12.10 (82) victory. 

In hot and windy conditions, the Blues were quick to land the first blow of the game. After a chain of linking handballs, it was Francis Evans who kicked the opener in the good Friday clash, with a set shot off the back of a piercing Will Hayes kick.   

Oliver Poole showed poise early with ball in hand, with his delivery inside 50 resulting in returning co-captain Liam McMahon kicking his first of the game to take an early lead.  

With the Kangaroos returning serve, it was Will Hayes (nine disposals) who took a bounce and launched one from long range for a quick response to take back the lead.  

Darcy Hogg (nine disposals) and Archie Stevens (seven disposals) both got involved early, in a busy quarter for the smalls. 

On the stroke of quarter time, Ashton Moir took a mark inside 50 to set up a set shot after the siren. Finishing for his first major of the day, he gave the Blues a seven-point lead heading into quarter time. 

It was similarly a hot start to the second, as McMahon continued where he left off to become the first multiple goalkicker of the day and get the ball rolling once more.  

Hogg (15 disposals) continued to find plenty of the ball, with a one-two in the corridor resulting in a Heath Ramshaw goal from 50 metres out on the run.  

It wasn’t long until key forward Harry Lemmey got involved and kicked his first, with some classy vision from Ramshaw (12 disposals) to pull the kick and deliver a set shot inside 50. Soon after, McMahon kicked his third of the day to give the Blues three in a row before the Roos responded.  

More nice transition from half back gave Lemmey the chance to stem the tide, kicking his second of the quarter as Stevens and Hayes (15 disposals each) continued to bring plenty of energy at the contest.  

The Blues took a 17-point lead into the main break after a six-goal second quarter, but North continued to pose problems, and they came out firing after half time.  

Jordan Boyd and Harry Charleson (12 disposals each) provided plenty of run from the back half, with conditions proving tough as the wind picked up.  

Luke Nelson (10 disposals) was lively throughout the term, looking dangerous when the Blues entered the forward half: he found Lemmey with a pinpoint kick in the pocket, getting one back against the run of play and registering his third of the afternoon. 

Marc Pittonet (17 disposals, 14 hitouts) played a crucial role in his return from injury as the Blues’ leaders needed to lift. Hayes continued to do so with a 13-disposal quarter, while co-captain Ramshaw climbed to 21 disposals at the final change.   

The stage was set for a close finish, and looking for a big push in the fourth, it was the perfect start. Leading from the front, McMahon kicked his fourth with a classy set shot from the boundary to level the scores.  

Time started to become a factor after North hit the leader and produced a string of behinds, with Boyd backing himself by foot and an energetic Francis Evans (13 disposals) producing some crucial moments.  

After Evans lowered his eyes to find Ashton Moir, the second-year Blue kicked goal No.2 to get the Blues back within a goal. 

However, it unfortunately wasn’t to be for the Blues, going down by two points. 

The VFL Blues will continue their season next Sunday 27 April at 11:05am against Geelong at IKON Park.  

NORTH MELBOURNE      3.2      6.6    11.9    12.12 (84) 
CARLTON RESERVES     4.3      9.5      10.8   12.10 (82)  

GOALS 
Carlton: McMahon 4, Lemmey 3, Moir 2, Evans, Hayes, Ramshaw  

BEST
Carlton: Ramshaw, Hayes, Hogg, McMahon, Pittonet, Evans