Will the Blues bounce back in Tassie? AFL Media's Marc McGowan previews Saturday night's clash with North Melbourne at Blundstone Arena:
SUMMARY
Hobart's Blundstone Arena will host what looms as a fascinating clash between two clubs with only one win between them through the first three rounds. North Melbourne showed significant pluck to thump St Kilda on Good Friday and kicked the first four goals against the Demons last week before eventually losing by 37 points. Carlton has jumped its opposition twice this season – against Richmond in Round 1 and Collingwood in Round 3 – but remains winless. In fact, Brendon Bolton's men, who are trying to address an imbalance between attack and defence, have lost 12 of their past 13 matches. Mason Wood was the hero with two final-quarter goals when the sides met last season, after the Roos looked in danger of blowing a 45-point lead. Wood has languished in the VFL so far this season. Star defender Robbie Tarrant is expected to return from injury for North.
WHERE AND WHEN: Blundstone Arena, Saturday, April 14, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R10, 2017, North Melbourne 17.11 (113) d Carlton 15.6 (96) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2016, North Melbourne 17.11 (113) d Carlton 6.10 (46) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2015, North Melbourne 18.10 (118) d Carlton 8.6 (54) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2014, Carlton 16.13 (109) d North Melbourne 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R17, 2013, Carlton 16.13 (109) d North Melbourne 16.12 (108) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne led by only two points at three quarter-time when the teams played in 2017 before kicking five goals to three in the final quarter. Carlton dominated disposals 406-356 and laid 16 more tackles.
2. No team has had the ball less in 2018 than the Kangaroos, who are averaging only 341.7 touches. The Blues are mid-table with an average of 366.3. But North is fifth in contested possessions.
3. The Roos have won the last three clashes between the sides, ending Carlton's successful run of three wins from four matches from 2011 to 2014.
4. No team has taken fewer marks inside 50 this season than the Blues, who are fifth-last for scoring, but they have been able to take the ball inside 50, ranking equal-sixth with an average of 56.3 per game.
5. North will play at Blundstone Arena for the first time this season. The Roos have won 11 of 15 games at the venue, whereas Carlton has never played a premiership season game there.
6. The Blues' great hope up forward, Charlie Curnow, continues to surge up the Schick AFL Player Ratings. He ended last year ranked 296th, but has jumped higher each week this season to a personal-best 235th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR…
Todd Goldstein. The Kangaroos' 2015 All Australian ruckman was enjoying a renaissance of sorts in the first two rounds before running into Demons star Max Gawn last week. Gawn demolished Goldy, who faces another stiff test on Saturday night against Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer.
