THE BLOWTORCH is turned firmly on Carlton this week when it meets North Melbourne in the Good Friday Superclash at Marvel Stadium.
North Melbourne (2-1) will take any win it can get after six years of pain, but is unlikely to use the underwhelming victory over Essendon as a template for the way it wants to play.
KANGAROOS v BLUES Follow it LIVE
The Kangaroos have an immediate opportunity to improve on that performance as well as win at least three of their opening four matches for the first time since 2016 as they come up against the under-fire Blues.
Carlton (1-2) must have a sense that history keeps repeating as it has burst out of the blocks three times to be +71 for points scored in first halves, then -153 against its opponents after the main break.
The Blues are running out of chances to learn from their mistakes and continue to play with freedom when the game is on the line, especially with a horror run against five top-four contenders to come.
North Melbourne v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, 3.15pm AEDT
NO LATE CHANGES
The Roos have recalled veteran Jack Darling and Zac Banch to replace suspended ruck Tristan Xerri and rested youngster Lachy Dovaston.
The Blues have made four changes, regaining Adam Cerra, Nic Newman and Jordan Boyd and handing Wade Derksen an AFL debut, with injured pair Zac Williams and Harry Dean and omitted duo Campbell Chesser and Hudson O'Keeffe making way.
Adelaide takes on Fremantle in the night match on Friday looking to rediscover the form that took it to the top of the ladder last season.
Adelaide (1-2) was the third-highest scoring team in last year’s home and away rounds, but paid a heavy price for its ball movement and attacking intent being stifled in back-to-back defeats to the Dogs and Cats this season.
CROWS v DOCKERS Follow it LIVE
Those losses added to doubts over whether the Crows can consistently beat top sides after going 5-7 against finalists last year before another against the Dockers.
Fremantle (2-1) has quickly evolved into one of the most exciting teams in the competition as it has put an at times slow and steady gameplan behind it to begin this season with greater focus on attack.
The Dockers hit the 100-point mark for the third time in as many matches when they ran away from Richmond and could now tighten their grip on a top-four spot with a win over Adelaide.
While the Dockers are unchanged, the Crows have made four big changes as Jordan Dawson, Taylor Walker, Reilly O'Brien and James Borlase come in for Finnbar Maley, Luke Nankervis, Chayce Jones and Jordon Butts.