Mick Malthouse looked to have run out of patience with Jarrad Waite, who seemed to be playing out time in the VFL until the end of the season. His pressure wasn't deemed to be good enough, but his talent meant he was surely being missed. After earning a last minute call-up on Friday night, Waite showed his value in the first half. He took three big marks, kicked two goals, set up Chris Judd for another and placed pressure on the opposition. Waite is naturally a roaming third tall who, even at 31, will be a valuable commodity if he chooses to remain an unsigned free agent until the end of the season. He ended with 19 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles and four goals, and was a match-winner.

 

Given its inconsistency this season, North Melbourne needed a good start to push any inner doubts away. It did the exact opposite, turning the ball over by hand and creating opportunities for Carlton. The Blues had 35 uncontested marks in the first quarter, while North conceded as many points through turnovers in the first half as it had on average in 2014. Carlton's midfield was on top and the Kangaroos' forwards went quiet. Trailing by 15 points, North began the second half with a bang and looked to be running over the top of Carlton at three-quarter time. But then the Roos went back into their shell, conceding the first six goals of the last quarter. The result was a head-scratching loss that puts their credentials as a decent team under question – and sixth spot at risk.

 

Mick Malthouse has learned a few tricks in 705 games and 30 years – except for a gap year taken in 2012 – as coach. He knows how to inspire a win when his club has its back against the wall. After a week when external critics belted the coaching legend from pillar to post, he managed to refocus his group on what was required to win. Cameron Wood, who Malthouse coached at Collingwood, was elevated from the rookie list and introduced for his first game in 692 days. Waite, a late inclusion, was brilliant, while Lachie Henderson had a 100th game to remember with a career-best six goals. The Blues lacked class and at times made poor decisions, but they never stopped trying. In familiar Malthouse style, the team lifted its tackle count in the last term and kicked the first six goals of the quarter to pull off a famous victory.

 

In his 100th game and after returning from suspension, Carlton hard nut Mitch Robinson couldn't stay out of trouble. In the first quarter he ran through North Melbourne's Leigh Adams soon after the Kangaroos' midfielder dished off a handball. It was an old-fashioned bump, but his shoulder appeared to make contact with Adams' head and he was reported for rough conduct. Adams went to ground, but wore it well and was able to play on. Adams, who has had a troublesome shoulder, was still having work done on his neck late in the game.

 

Majak Daw played his first senior game since being notified on July 1 that he was facing charges for an alleged sexual assault in 2007. He was a late inclusion for the injured Ben Brown, avoiding much of the scrutiny that might have otherwise surrounded his selection. Daw was quiet in the first half, but made a difference in the third quarter. He hit a contest hard early and left Ed Curnow – who was doing a fine job tagging Brent Harvey – corked and unable to run with freedom for the rest of the game. He took three marks in the quarter, gathered an important ground ball that led to a goal to Levi Greenwood, and provided a marking option down the line.