Friday’s only AFL Round 18 match is between Carlton Blues and North Melbourne Kangaroos. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7:50 PM local time with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The away team North Melbourne Kangaroos are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Carlton Blues and North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Round: Round 18 , July 18, 2014, 7:50 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 13° Shower or two.
Featured Bookmakers:
Tips: Carlton +28.5 at $1.93 with Sportsbet + get a $250 FREE BET on the match
Preview:
THE LAST time these clubs met, Carlton held on for a one-point victory in a Friday night thriller last season. While this should give the Blues plenty of confidence and they will be desperate to bounce back after last Saturday’s disappointing loss to the Swans, they face an uphill battle on Friday night. Two weeks ago at Etihad Stadium the Kangaroos were impressive in defeating the Hawks by 20 points and they followed this up by thrashing St Kilda at Blundstone Arena last Saturday. Carlton has won three of its past five games against North Melbourne, all at Etihad Stadium, but this shapes as a much tougher assignment against an in-form Kangaroos.
LAST FIVE TIMES
R17, 2013, Carlton 16.13 (109) d North Melbourne 16.12 (108) Etihad Stadium
R16, 2012, North Melbourne 24.5 (149) d Collingwood 14.12 (96) Etihad Stadium
R19, 2011, Carlton 11.14 (80) d North Melbourne 9.8 (62) Etihad Stadium
R12, 2010, North Melbourne 14.13 (97) d Carlton 10.8 (68) Etihad Stadium
R18, 2009, Carlton 14.10 (94) d North Melbourne 11.18 (84) Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. North Melbourne has won eight of its past 11 games against Carlton.
2. Key Kangaroos forward Drew Petrie has been impressive since round 10. In the first nine rounds he managed only seven goals in eight games, but has kicked 21 goals in his past eight matches.
3. The Kangaroos are ranked second for disposal efficiency this season at 73.7 per cent. The Blues are 11th at 71.7 per cent.
4. Carlton’s Mick Malthouse is undefeated in four contests in head-to-head battles with his former assistant coach Brad Scott.
5 .North Melbourne is one of only four teams this season to kick more behinds than goals, having a scoring accuracy of 47 per cent.
6. After making a late start because of surgery on a troublesome Achilles and then straining a hamstring in his comeback game, champion Carlton midfielder Chris Judd has struggled to make a significant impact this season. He started the year at No. 23 in the Official AFL Player Ratings but has dropped to No. 137.
Teams:
CARLTON 
B: Michael Jamison, Sam Rowe, Zach Tuohy
HB Chris Yarran, Kade Simpson, Andrejs Everitt
C Nick Graham, Chris Judd, Mitch Robinson
HF: Dale Thomas, Levi Casboult, Brock McLean
F Marc Murphy, Lachie Henderson, Troy Menzel
Fol Cameron Wood, Bryce Gibbs, Ed Curnow
I/C Tom Bell, Sam Docherty, David Ellard, Simon White
Emg Jeff Garlett, Blaine Johnson, Jarrad Waite
In Mitch Robinson, Troy Menzel, Cameron Wood
Out: Robert Warnock (omitted), Andrew Walker (Knee), Blaine Johnson (omitted).
NORTH MELBOURNE 
B: Michael Firrito, Scott D. Thompson, Scott McMahon.
HB Shaun Atley, Lachlan Hansen, Sam Wright.
C Sam Gibson, Andrew Swallow, Levi Greenwood.
HF Brent Harvey, Aaron Black, Nick Dal Santo.
F Ben Brown, Drew Petrie, Lindsay Thomas.
Fol Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell.
I/C Ryan Bastinac, Ben Jacobs, Leigh Adams, Luke McDonald.
Emg Brad McKenzie, Majak Daw, Aaron Mullett
In Jack Ziebell, Luke McDonald.
Out Aaron Mullett (omitted), Brad McKenzie (omitted).
