Harry McKay kicked five goals as Carlton ended North Melbourne's hopes of taking out the 2024 Good Friday SuperClash.

The Blues led at every change to run out 56-point winners, 21.11 (137) to 12.9 (81).

GOOD FRIDAY SUPERCLASH Full match coverage and stats

Though the Kangaroos never raised the white flag in front of 47,565 fans at a sold-out Marvel Stadium, they were outclassed and had few answers for the big bodies in the Blues' forward line. Reigning Coleman medalist Charlie Curnow was an ever-present threat alongside McKay, kicking four goals for the winners.

In a further blow, the Roos lost Callum Coleman-Jones to a suspected ruptured right Achilles tendon.

The former Richmond player was taken from the field on a medical cart and given immediate pain relief, replaced by sub Eddie Ford.

It was North's second serious Achilles injury in three weeks after Josh Goater's season came to an abrupt end in the round one defeat to Greater Western Sydney.

Forwards Paul Curtis and Nick Larkey kicked three goals apiece for the Kangas, while Ford contributed back-to-back goals late in the third quarter.

Tom Powell underlined his value to the side after signing a new contract extension during the week, winning 29 touches and kicking a goal. Harry Sheezel (32 touches) had another excellent game despite the heavy defeat. 

The Kangaroos also showed some serious aggression at times, with star forward Larkey giving away a 50m penalty late in the third quarter for slamming Mitch McGovern to the ground.

Preliminary finalists last season, Carlton extended its undefeated start to 3-0, while the Kangaroos remain winless.

Star defender Jacob Weitering made an impressive return from injury for the Blues, while former Gold Coast utility Elijah Hollands improved as the game progressed in his first appearance for the club.

Carlton didn't come out of the match unscathed either, after defender Caleb Marchbank was concussed in a heavy collision with teammate Jordan Boyd in the final term.

The Blues have an opportunity to go 4-0 for the first time since 1995 - the year of their last premiership - when they face Fremantle in Gather Round next Saturday.

North will play Grand Finalist Brisbane, smarting off a disappointing 0-3 start to their season, next Friday at Norwood Oval

Cruel blow for Coleman-Jones

A foot injury and a concussion interrupted Coleman-Jones' 2023 season, and now the luckless Kangaroo tall faces another long spell on the sidelines, after he went down without contact early in the second quarter. He was taken from the ground on a stretcher in obvious pain, and the North Melbourne medical team were quick to confirm a right Achilles tendon injury. It's a tough setback for Coleman-Jones and a sizeable problem for the Roos, who have a big hole to fill.

Kangas show heart

Nine unanswered goals deflated the Roos against Fremantle last week, and Alastair Clarkson's young side was similarly overrun as Carlton rattled on seven in a row in the opening half. But despite struggling to counter the Blues' imposing forwards, they showed spirit in rallying after the break. Five counter-punching goals kept Carlton honest in the third quarter - the highlight a brilliant dribbling goal from the tireless Paul Curtis.

Roos hand out the Easter Eggs early

It was never going to be an easy task for North Melbourne to take down an in-form Carlton, but ill-discipline made it near impossible. The Roos finished the match heavily in the negatives in the free kick count, but more of a worry was the six 50-metre penalties they handed over, most resulting in goals. History would suggest Alastair Clarkson doesn't mind a bit of 'unsociable football', but it's unlikely he'll be impressed with the gifts his players handed over on Friday.

North's talent bag is raw, but full

There's no questioning the quality of some of North Melbourne's youngsters with names like Sheezel, Wardlaw, Powell and McKercher enough to keep any Kanga fan's optimism high. And now Paul Curtis is putting his name among the mix. The 21-year-old forward was his side's best option around goal on Friday and finished with three majors to his name. That gives him seven for the season, equal with Nick Larkey, and he's proving to be a threat opposition coaches will need to plan for.

North Melbourne     3.2    6.3    11.5     12.9 (81)
Carlton                       5.6    10.8   16.10   21.11 (137)

GOALS
North Melbourne: Curtis 3, Larkey 3, Ford 2, Lazzaro, Powell, Wardlaw, Zurhaar
Carlton: McKay 5, Curnow 4, Owies 3, Durdin 2, Acres, Carroll, Cerra, Cripps, Fantasia, Hollands, Hewett

BEST
North Melbourne: Sheezel, Powell, Curtis, Xerri, McKercher
Carlton: McKay, Cripps, Curnow, Hewett, Cerra, E.Hollands

INJURIES
North Melbourne: Coleman-Jones (Achilles)
Carlton: Marchbank (head knock), Curnow (ankle)

SUBSTITUTES
North Melbourne: Eddie Ford, replaced Callum Coleman-Jones in the second quarter
Carlton: Orazio Fantasia, replaced Corey Durdin at three-quarter time

Crowd: 47,565 at Marvel Stadium