SUMMARY
Sitting in the top eight for the first time this season after its thumping win over the Lions last Saturday, North Melbourne faces a Carlton outfit down on personnel and confidence. In-form ruckman Todd Goldstein should start the ball rolling on Saturday night, his influence around the stoppages and in contested situations being so crucial this season. In his 200th game Jarrad Waite would be keen to perform well against his former team, which was thrashed by a red-hot Hawthorn last round. The Blues won the corresponding game comfortably last season, but with Lachie Henderson out of form lack the firepower to trouble the Roos' defence.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Saturday, August 1, 7.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
PAST FIVE TIMES
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
R16, 2012, North Melbourne 24.5 (149) d Carlton 14.12 (96) at Etihad Stadium
R19, 2011, Carlton 11.14 (80) d North Melbourne 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2010, North Melbourne 14.13 (97) d Carlton 10.8 (68) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Lachie Henderson starred for the Blues the last time these clubs met, kicking a career-high six goals. Carlton took 126 marks to North Melbourne's 83.
2. North Melbourne has been impressive in winning the contested ball this season, ranked seventh with 137.2 a game. The Blues have struggled, ranked 16th at 131.2.
3. Carlton and North Melbourne meet for the 152nd time, with the Blues holding a clear advantage (97-54). Carlton has won four of the past six.
4. The Blues are the AFL's worst tackling team, laying only 32 against Hawthorn last round.
5. Kangaroos Shaun Higgins, Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite, Ben Brown and Lindsay Thomas have kicked at least 20 goals this season. The Blues have only one player, Levi Casboult, who has booted 20 goals.
6. Goldstein's superb season has been reflected in the Official AFL Player Ratings. After starting the season at No.16, he has risen to No.7, just above 400-gamer Brent Harvey.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jarrad Waite. In his 200th game he faces his former teammates for the first time after switching clubs as a free agent at the end of last year, and is sure to cop plenty over the fence from the Blues' faithful. In the corresponding game between these clubs last season he booted four goals for Carlton and he has performed creditably in his first season with the Roos.
PREDICTION: North Melbourne by 29 points.
