The Preview | Carlton v North Melbourne | AFL Round 4, 2023

Written by Luke Cornell

10 points is 10 points. 

It was one to remember for all the right and wrong reasons, but last week's clash against the Giants sets a glaring precedent as the Carlton faithful look ahead to their first Good Friday clash against the Kangaroos.

Right again, jackaroo, it’s the round 4 preview. 

Opposition Analysis 

What was once tipped as a kind gesture to the Blues, adding to their basket of Friday-night/prime-time outings for 2023, turns into yet another stirring test only four rounds into an already wildly unpredictable season thus far. 

There seems to be no ease into the season for the Blues, as the “Clarkson-Roos” look more primed than ever to take their titular style of gameplay back to their stomping grounds at Marvel Stadium. And for a good reason. 

North’s ability to expose projected top 8 teams like Fremantle is a product of a simple dose of effort and buy-in from a young outfit that’s taken the reins in their first three outings. 

Ranking 5th in tackles and 5th least in Opposition 50s per game, North’s ability just simply absorb their opponents for four quarters is concerning for teams thinking that they’ll be able to withstand what they have to offer.

The sheer number of players new coach Alistair Clarkson can shift around at any given moment is a luxury for a coach of his calibre. Players like Paul Curtis, Jack Ziebell, Hugh Greenwood and Will Phillips have proven to be X-Factors in their own right through just being able to slot into any role at a moment's notice.

Across the ground, North’s collective approach to the game is highlighted by more glaring statistics, ranking 2nd least in opponent contested marks and 1st in least opponent rebound 50s per game, stats that combat with the Blues attack of half back and tall timbre up forward in a way that could be favourable towards limiting scoring opportunities in the long run. 

Just another example of North’s ability to absorb their teams. 

On paper alone, the North Melbourne Football Club have everything to prove this week in terms of proving their brand is sustainable against the competition’s best, in what could be a sour reality check for the Blue’s current system of play.

What to Expect 

If we are to expect anything resembling the Blues form from the past week alone, the results this week will be hard to swallow. 

Nearly 30 scoring shots on goal is enough to almost end any team’s season in one game; but in Carlton’s case last week, you could argue that even at the peak of their powers, the situation is dire. 

Fox Footy’s Garry Lyon commented on the Blues's lack of plan and management when it came to the likes of Charlie Curnow and Harry Mckay playing together on the field. 

While Curnow has been in some good flow of form, his ability to free up the likes of a supporting Coleman medalist has to be something Ash Hansen highlighted in the game footage this week at training; being the catalyst of inefficient kicks inside 50 when both he and Mckay attack the same football. 

Isolation is key when it comes to how these two work together, and it’s how the Blues can turn 9 goals into 19 when presented with the next 30 scoring shots. 

It’s also a concern when you consider that Harry’s ability to win one-on-one inside 50 could be hampered from a scoring perspective if not managed accordingly, having so-far been in uncomfortable scoring positions with only 2 goals @25% scoring efficiency to show for it. 

It needs to be mentioned, however, that this group has never been one to attack on all ends of the ground each in every outing so far. The backline has been immense and can hold their head high for their ability to keep competing and band together as our most composed players on the ground. 

The pieces are there on all ends, as has always been the case, but the onus on our system to prevail is paramount when competing against this hungry North outfit. 

Predictions 

Blues fans have every right to be excited and concerned for the matchup this week, which makes the discussion and build up all the more exciting each week. 

With that said, the Kangaroo’s record against us in recent years has been a mixed bag, and with their resurgence in 2023, it’s bound to be a contest for all four quarters. 

…but they’re nowhere near our best. 

Carlton by 38