<p>Good Friday footy continues to make its mark as one of the marquee events on the AFL calendar, and for the third year in a row, it’s North Melbourne and Carlton battling it out for the kids under the roof.</p> <p>The Blues finally registered their first win for 2025 after routing the Eagles in Gather Round, but it was far from a pretty or compelling game or performance from Michael Voss’ side. To the point that when all was said and done, there wasn’t a heap to take away from it.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos would be lamenting another poor performance. After a promising start to the season, they have now slipped to one win and four losses for the season and saw a great opportunity slip against the Suns on Saturday in the Barossa. Even more so, they were leading the game and had a path to victory halfway through the third quarter before getting blown away in the final quarter to go down by 52 points.&nbsp;</p> <p>Since launching the Good Friday Superclash in 2017, the Roos have only saluted just once on what has become the club's biggest day. They get an incredible chance here against this Carlton team. Will they take it? Or will the Blues continue their slow build into the season with another lay-up against a lowly opponent?</p> <p>For the latest analysis, odds, team news, and betting tips, check out our Kangaroos vs Blues preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Carlton Predicted Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>North Melbourne Predicted Team</h3> <p>B: Luke McDonald, Aidan Corr, Darcy Tucker</p> <p>HB: Charlie Comben, Griffin Logue, Caleb Daniel</p> <p>C:&nbsp; Finn O’Sullivan, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher</p> <p>HF: Paul Curtis, Nick Larkey, Harry Sheezel</p> <p>F: Cam Zurhaar, Jack Darling, Luke Parker</p> <p>Foll: Tristan Xerri, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Jy Simpkin</p> <p>Int: Tom Powell, Zac Fisher, Zane Duursma, Jacob Konstanty, Riley Hardeman</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Carlton Predicted Team&nbsp;</h3> <p>B: Adam Saad, Jacob Weitering, Mitch McGovern</p> <p>HB: Matt Carroll, Jack Silvagni, Ollie Hollands</p> <p>C: Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh</p> <p>HF: Elijah Hollands, Tom De Koning, Matt Cottrell</p> <p>F: Jesse Motlop, Charlie Curnow, Corey Durdin</p> <p>Foll: Marc Pittonet, Adam Cerra, George Hewett</p> <p>Int: Will White, Nick Haynes, Cooper Lord, Sam Docherty, Zac Williams</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Carlton Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>Despite winning four of the past five meetings, the Roos have historically been a tricky opponent for Carlton.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s been helped in previous years by the twin towers in the Blues forward line in Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay dining out on the Roos backline. The pair have combined for 32 goals in the last four meetings.</p> <p>The Roos defence will no doubt be breathing a sigh of relief at the news that Harry McKay will miss the clash this time through concussion protocols, but on the back of Curnow coming off his strongest looking performance of the year (despite a few missed chances in front of the sticks), coupled with North Melbourne’s defensive struggles (third worst defence in the comp), Curnow would be setting himself for another big day.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues put on a contested-ball clinic against the hapless Eagles and will not be given the same freedoms against a beefed-up North midfield. A midfield that could welcome back gun youngster George Wardlaw, who made his successful return to play last weekend from a significant off-season hamstring injury.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both teams play a similar style of contested footy, It will probably come down to a matter of efficiency and taking chances in front of goal. The Blues have struggled to score this season, but returning under the roof, the place where they recorded their highest score of the season (not counting the Eagles cricket score), gives them a chance to be in the contest.</p> <p>The Blues should win, based purely on the spread of talent across the park and the feel-good feelings that the win last week would have brought them, but don’t be surprised if there’s an upset here folks.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-carlton-9107379">Carlton&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>North Melbourne small forward Paul Curtis is having a sensational start to the season. Multiple goals in every game thus far, taking him to 12 goals for the season.&nbsp;</p> <p>He kicked three goals in this fixture last year. Outside of Nick Larkey, he’s the Roos' most-targeted player in the forward 50, so they will be looking for him if Larkey predictably has his hands full with Weitering.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-carlton-9107379">Paul Curtis</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>Fresh off a career-high disposal count, it’s safe to say George Hewett isn’t flying under the radar anymore with his start to the season. Currently sitting second in the league for total disposals, he’s been the bedrock of the Carlton midfield. Ridiculous to comprehend how he was dropped and relegated to being the sub last year!!</p> <p>He had 39 last week against an uncompetitive Eagles side but has averaged 29.7 for the year so far against some good midfield groups. We think he’ll go again on Friday.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/north-melbourne-v-carlton-9107379">George Hewett (30 disposals)</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Carlton Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Friday, April 18th</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 3:20 PM, AEDT</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Marvel Stadium, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch: </strong>Channel 7, Fox Footy/ Kayo Sports</p>