Taylor Goad will see his first VFL minutes of the season in Friday morning's clash with Carlton at Arden Street Oval.

The young ruck picked up an ankle injury during a mid-February training session but has been given the green light to make his return to play this week.

He's joined in the side by small forward Jacob Konstanty, who was an AFL emergency last week, as well as VFL-listed player Alex Noblet.

Making way is veteran forward Jack Darling, who has been selected to play in the AFL side's Good Friday SuperClash against the Blues following a three-goal haul against the Bombers in the VFL last weekend.

Isaiah Markovsky has been omitted, while Adam Tomlinson is unavailable.

How to follow the game

You can live stream the match free via AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Head here on gameday to keep up with the score and our best performers.

Round 3

Friday, April 3
North Melbourne v Carlton at Arden Street Oval, 11.30am AEDT

Young forward Brayden George kicked a career-best haul as North Melbourne opened Good Friday with a VFL win over Carlton at Arden St Oval.

George kicked four goals, all in the first quarter, as the Kangaroos delivered their first VFL win of the season by 11 points, 17.8 (110) to 14.15 (99).

KANGAROOS v BLUES Full match coverage and stats

Jacob Konstanty and VFL-listed pair Xavier Bamert and James Tarrant were among the side's best as they broke the game open with a five-goal run towards half-time, while the Roos will hope an injury to young tall Wil Dawson is not serious.

Player watch

Brayden George (four goals, nine disposals) needed only 20 minutes to put his stamp on the game, kicking the Kangaroos' first four goals in the opening term as they started strongly in front of their home crowd. Though he faded out of the game after half-time, his early pressure was a standout. His fourth goal was his best, kicked from the centre square after he won a free kick for holding the ball.

Playing his first match since being dropped from the AFL team after serving an emergency for last Saturday's win over Essendon, Jacob Konstanty (17 touches, two goals) made his case for a recall with a lively performance. He put the Blues defence under pressure all day, creating his second goal by barreling into a stoppage at the top of the goal square.

Wil Dawson (11 disposals, 13 hitouts) split his time between defence and the ruck before suffering an injury in a ruck contest late in the third quarter. The big youngster was helped off the ground and will be assessed during the week. 

Free agency recruit Charlie Spargo kicked two goals in his most promising performance to date in his new colours. He set up Konstanty with a clever assist, kicked his first from a tight angle in the left forward pocket in the third quarter, and made space inside 50 early in the last to capitalise on a weighted pass from Xavier Bamert.  

Taylor Goad (10 hitouts, six disposals) worked his way into the game in his playing return from an ankle injury suffered in pre-season. 

Zac Fisher (27 touches, eight marks) impressed with his pace and decision-making and added a goal against his old team, while Robert Hansen jnr (26 disposals, seven marks) was also prolific.

In a menacing tall forward line, spearhead James Tarrant was the Kangaroos' most dangerous target. He kicked four goals and winning 20 disposals and eight marks in a superb performance, even pinch hitting in the ruck after Dawson's exit. Xavier Bamert (three goals 15, disposals) also made himself harder to contain as the match went on in an eye-catching display.

Next Up

The Kangaroos have a week off before a bayside appointment with Sandringham on Saturday, April 18. The game at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval is at 2.05pm. 

NORTH MELBOURNE         4.2     9.4    14.6   17.8 (110)
CARLTON                            3.3     6.5    9.8   14.15 (99)

GOALS
North Melbourne: George 4, Tarrant 4, Bamert 3, Konstanty 2, Spargo 2, Fisher, Lowe
Carlton: Ison 3, Young 3, Evans, Fogarty, Hogg, Moir, O'Keeffe, Prout, Tucker, Wilson

LATE CHANGES
North Melbourne: River Stevens replaced by McLaren Spiteri