Riding high after the win against Melbourne, North next faces a team that plays a very different style to the Demons.

Carlton, under second year coach Brendon Bolton, has been a defensive-minded team and it has shown in its results.

The Blues have starved their opponents of time in possession, with only four other clubs doing it better so far this season.

They have done so by holding on to possession, controlling the tempo and being patient with their ball movement.

In the last four weeks, they have taken another step forward, ranking second in time in possession differential. Not coincidentally, Carlton hasn’t conceded more than 86 points in a game over that time.

An example of the plan working to perfection was against St Kilda in Round 8 at Etihad Stadium.

After winning possession in its defensive 50, the Blues had nine uncontested marks in a row as it methodically moved the ball up field, holding onto possession for almost 90 seconds.

Watch the passage of play unfold

Carlton has had 138 more uncontested marks than its opponents this season, a massive number which is only bettered by one other club.

If North can win the contest, it’ll be able to stop Carlton from getting the game on its terms and controlling the uncontested possession.

It was able to break even at the coal face against Melbourne at the MCG, and the North coach was pleased with how his side set up.

“We were certainly able to set up the way we wanted to set up, and we were able to dictate from there. I thought we were able to get pretty good use from our clearance wins.”

If Scott has a similar line to say on Sunday evening, there is every chance North is walking away from Etihad with its fourth win in five weeks.