Both teams are coming off good wins, North against the Brisbane Lions in a thriller on Saturday night and Carlton against Melbourne in heavy conditions at the MCG on Saturday.
The Blues will be looking to keep their momentum going as they search for a top 4 spot while the Roos try to stay in touch with the top 8.
kangaroos.com.au looks at how the two teams match up for their massive Friday night clash at Etihad Stadium.
Head to head: Games played: 146 - North Melbourne 52, Carlton 94, 0 draw
Coaches: Brad Scott (NM) 11 games, Brett Ratten (CARL) 62 games -
Captains: Brent Harvey (NM) 290 games, Chris Judd (CARL) 186 games
2010 debutants:
North Melbourne - Ryan Bastinac, Ben Cunnington, Nathan O'Keefe
Carlton - Simon White, Kane Lucas
Departures:
North Melbourne - Josh Gibson, Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Matt Riggio, Adam Simpson, Jesse Smith, Shannon Watt, Michael Wundke
Carlton - Jordan Bannister, Adam Bentick, Cameron Cloke, Jake Edwards, Brendan Fevola, Adam Hartlett, Nick Stevens
Avg. age (start of 2010): North Melbourne 22 years 195 days, Carlton 22 years 209 days
Avg. games (start of 2010): North Melbourne 43, Carlton 48
Most experienced player: Brent Harvey (NM) 289 games, Ryan Houlihan (CARL) 191 games
Tallest: Hamish McIntosh (NM) 203cm, Robert Warnock (CARL) 206cm
Shortest: Matt Campbell (NM) 170cm, Eddie Betts (CARL) 173cm
2009 placing: North Melbourne 13th (7 wins, 14 losses, 1 draw), Carlton 7th (13 wins, 10 losses, 0 draw)
Leading goal scorer 2009: Drew Petrie (NM) 27, Brendan Fevola (CARL) 89
Best and Fairest 2009: Andrew Swallow (NM), Chris Judd (CARL)
The last five: Round 18, 2009 - Carlton 14.10.94 def North Melbourne 11.18.84
Round 20, 2008 - North Melbourne 22.9.141 def Carlton 14.6.90
Round 21, 2007 - North Melbourne 24.17.161 def Carlton 11.13.79
Round 08, 2007 - North Melbourne 22.15.147 def Carlton 20.10.130
Round 12, 2006 - North Melbourne 18.13.121 def Carlton 15.12.102
Last week:
North Melbourne 12.18.90 def Brisbane 13.11.89
Carlton 15.11.101 def Melbourne 9.6.60
Leading possession winners 2010: Brady Rawlings (NM) 300, Heath Scotland (CARL) 290
Leading goal scorers 2010: Lindsay Thomas (NM) 18, Setanta O'hAilpin (CARL) 24
Dream Team specialists: Andrew Swallow (NM) 1066 points, Kade Simpson (CARL) 1168 points
