North hammer Blues by 53 points

Carlton skipper Chris Judd faces AFL match review panel scrutiny for a “chicken wing” tackle during the Blues’ dismal 53-point loss to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

North’s Leigh Adams needed attention for a shoulder injury after Judd, standing over him, pulled upwards on his arm while the Kangaroos forward was pinned face-down in a tackle by another Blues player.

The move bore striking similarity to rugby league’s outlawed “chicken wing” tackle.

Adams was off the ground for several minutes following the second quarter incident.

But he returned after treatment to play on as North won emphatically 24.5 (149) to 14.12 (96) to climb into the top eight.

Dual Brownlow Medallist Judd can expect the match review panel to carefully examine the incident, which incensed several North players who remonstrated with him.

Judd was otherwise exceptional in a three-goal, 36 disposal performance.

But his lone hand was unable to counter North forward Drew Petrie’s seven-goal haul as the Kangaroos ran riot to heap more pressure on the Blues and their coach Brett Ratten.

Petrie was unstoppable in a radar-like goalkicking effort from North, though he was substituted at three-quarter-time with groin soreness.

He booted four goals in the first quarter, another in the second to have five by halftime, then two more as the Kangaroos went on a third quarter rampage to leave the Blues’ season on a precipice.

Carlton were in trouble before the first bounce, with defender Zach Tuohy breaking down in the warm-up with a back injury.

Then forward Andrew Walker injured his leg in the opening quarter and had to be substituted.

Midfielder Aaron Joseph then was forced out of the game following a second quarter high hit from North onballer Jack Ziebell, leaving the Blues with only two on the bench.

Ziebell can also expect match review panel scrutiny for that incident during a rugged first half.

With Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy back for his first match in nearly three months, the Blues started promisingly and led by 12 points at one stage in the first term.

But Petrie’s rampage came among seven unanswered goals by the Kangaroos through the first and second terms.

Leading by 29 points at halftime, North made the game safe with a seven-goal third quarter – the last six unanswered.

Kangaroos forward Lachie Hansen booted four goals for the match, while Lindsay Thomas and Kieran Harper finished with three each.

Carlton remain outside the top eight.

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