NORTH Melbourne star Drew Petrie enjoyed a day out against Carlton at Visy Park on Sunday as the Kangaroos won an entertaining clash by 16 points.
Petrie dominated the Carlton defence, finishing with seven goals.
North Melbourne won the match 18. 8 (116) to Carlton 15. 10 (100).
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North coach Brad Scott said he had deliberately stuck with 22 players for the game to condition his players for round one after playing larger squads in their earlier NAB Cup games.
"We always intended for this last one to be as close as possible to round one," Scott said.
"Even though we had the opportunity to bring three players on at half-time we chose not to, just because we wanted to get a decent conditioning effort and not get a surprise round one.
"It's easy to bring someone in fresh and perhaps get a false sense of fitness. It cost us a little bit because the boys were out on their feet a little bit … but I was pleased with the endeavour in the second half, for sure."
Scott praised the form of youngsters Kieran Harper and defender Jamie Macmillan, and Anthony's role on Judd.
"Liam's trained as a defender all pre-season and we've worked hard on teaching him the defensive side of the game and he's really improving in that area," Scott said.
"We can think he can be a really good player for us and a really complete player if he gets that right."
Related content:
YouTube: SCOTT INTERVIEW
YouTube: PETRIE INTERVIEW
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North was without senior players Jack Ziebell, who will miss the first two rounds through suspension, the injured Nathan Grima and Levi Greenwood.
Scott said Grima expected to be fit for round one, but he was less confident.
Carlton had started Sunday's game impressively and led the Kangaroos by 16 points midway through the second quarter.
But Petrie, who had already kicked two goals to that point, kicked two late goals to get the Kangaroos back to within two points at half-time.
Those two goals were the start of nine straight for North as it charged out to a 40-point lead as three quarter-time approached.
But the Blues hit back with the next four goals, including two to Dennis Armfield, to get back to within 18 points early in the last term. But Shaun Hampson and Bryce Gibbs both missed chances to get the Blues back within two goals.
Consecutive goals to Leigh Adams and Macmillan midway through the quarter effectively put the result beyond doubt.
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NORTH MELBOURNE 4. 2 8.5 15.8 18. 8 (116)
CARLTON 5. 3 8.7 11.8 15.10 (100)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Petrie 7, Edwards 2, Thomas 2, Swallow, Wells, McIntosh, Anthony, Harvey, Adams, Macmillan
Carlton: Robinson 2, Armfield 2, Garlett 2, Simpson 2, Waite 2, McLean, Scotland, Betts, Hampson, Watson
BEST
North Melbourne: Petrie, Harper, Bastinac, Swallow, Anthony, Wells, Firrito, Macmillan
Carlton: Kreuzer, Carrazzo, Waite, Murphy, Gibbs, Scotland
INJURIES
North Melbourne:Swallow (suspected broken nose)
Carlton: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Scott Jeffery, Chris Donlon, Brett Ritchie
Crowd: 9783 at Visy Park
Follow Nick Bowen on Twitter @AFL_Nick.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
Post-match photos
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| Todd Goldstein chats to Darren Crocker |
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| Brad Scott provides some feedback |
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| Drew Petrie takes a breather after booting seven goals |
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| Daniel Wells has reason to smile |
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| Scott Thompson and Jack Ziebell |
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| Brad Scott's post-match press conference |
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| Drew Petrie talks to the media |
