Carlton's Andrew Carrazzo tries to halt Kangaroo Michael Firrito

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Where and when: Docklands, Friday, July 31, 7.40pm AEST
Head to head: North Melbourne 52 wins, Carlton 93 wins
Last time: Carlton 14.6 (90) def by North Melbourne 22.9 (141), round 20, 2008 at Docklands

MISSING IN ACTION
North Melbourne
Marcus White (hamstring) – test
Daniel Wells (groin/leg) – 1-2 weeks
Jesse Smith (hamstring) – 2 weeks
Jack Ziebell (leg/hip) – season
Ben Warren (leg) – season
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder) – season
Luke Delaney (shoulder) – season

Carlton
Setanta O’hAilpin (general soreness) – test
Adam Hartlett (hand) – 1 week
Joe Anderson (hamstring) – 1 week
Chris Johnson (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Rhys O’Keeffe (osteitis pubis) – season
Jarrad Waite (knee) - season

FORM
North Melbourne: LLLDL
Carlton: LWWWL

SUMMARY
The Kangaroos are still looking for their first win under caretaker coach Darren Crocker who has been at the helm since round 13. The Roos were still in it at half time against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last week, but could not go with the home side after the main break – eventually going down by 41 points.

Carlton looked to be making solid progress after recording three wins on the trot for the first time since 2004, but put in a bitterly disappointing effort in a 54-point loss to arch-rival Collingwood.

Adam Simpson followed his 34-possession effort against the Lions with a surprise retirement announcement on Monday. The 305-game veteran's decorated career will end at the final siren on Friday night.

Corey Jones continued to breathe life back into his faltering AFL career with four goals against the Lions while, in his second game back from a stint in the VFL, Blue Heath Scotland was prominent, if a little wasteful at times, with 32 possessions. Bryce Gibbs continued his excellent season with a 30-disposal showing.

PLAYER TO WATCH
Adam Simpson (North Melbourne)
He'll give his all in his last game, but that won't be any different to the previous 305. Expect to see him go after the ball at every opportunity as he tries to inspire his beloved Roos to one more victory against the odds.

Nick Stevens (Carlton)
Brett Ratten signalled mid-week that the onballer had done enough to come back into the side. Stevens has spent four weeks in the VFL for coming back from the mid-season break out of shape. He has copped a fair bit of flak over the past month and has work to do to earn back some respect in the eyes of the Carlton faithful.

QUESTION MARKS
Can the Roos do it for Simmo? They've come out on top when not expected to before, but will emotion be enough here?

Can the Blues win a game that they should on paper? With finals approaching they looked a bit wobbly against the Pies and will need to show that was an aberration.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Brett Ratten was playing down the importance of this game to the Blues' September plans, but if this one slips by there will be genuine questions asked about their finals credentials. Yes, the Kangaroos have a lot to play for, but so does Carlton and there is a fair gap in class between the teams.

It won't be easy – it rarely is against North – but the Blues simply must win. Look for Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola to hoist their teammates onto their backs once more and carry them to a much-needed win.

PREDICTION
Carlton by 16 points

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.