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Carlton beat North Melbourne by 23 points as Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay stand up for Blues

Carlton's big forwards fired to put North Melbourne away after half-time. (Getty Images: Dylan Burns)

Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay have booted 10 goals between them to haul Carlton to a 23-point win over North Melbourne in their AFL Good Friday clash.

Curnow booted six goals while McKay kicked four and had 14 marks against North Melbourne's undersized defence as Carlton overcame an unconvincing first half to kick away for a 16.11 (107) to 11.18 (84) win.

Carlton's victory was in front of a bumper crowd of 49,062 at Docklands Stadium, beating the previous Good Friday high of 48,278 in 2019.

The Kangaroos stuck with the Blues until midway through the third quarter, despite being without Griffin Logue (suspension) and Ben McKay (foot), with Curnow and McKay monstering a defence led by Aidan Corr and Aiden Bonar.

North spearhead Nick Larkey hurt his hip in a first-quarter collision with Jacob Weitering and was hampered throughout.

Carlton's Mitch McGovern (27 disposals, six marks) was excellent down back despite requiring early treatment on his right thigh but was substituted out late.

Zac Fisher (28 disposals, five clearances) was consistent all game while skipper Patrick Cripps (29 touches, nine clearances) lifted in the second half.

In their respective returns from a calf injury and suspension, Kangaroos duo Luke Davies-Uniacke (30 touches) and Jy Simpkin (29 disposals) dominated around clearances.

First-year gun Harry Sheezel (37 disposals) continued his fine form while Cam Zurhaar and Jaidyn Stephenson booted three goals apiece.

Coach Alastair Clarkson also pulled a surprise when he substituted veteran ball-winner Ben Cunnington for Hugh Greenwood late in the third quarter

The Kangaroos got on top around the contest early and led by a goal at quarter-time.

Carlton were conservative with the ball and plagued by skill errors and fumbles throughout the second term.

But the Kangaroos were wasteful around goal and took just a two-point lead into half-time.

Zurhaar steered a brilliant snap through on his left foot at the start of the second half but from there, Carlton lifted their intensity and booted the next six goals.

Jesse Motlop put the Blues in front with a masterful long-range shot from close to the boundary.

They extended their lead to nine points after Cunnington was penalised for holding the ball, with Corey Durdin dobbing his set shot.

For the sixth, Tom De Koning received a contentious 50-metre penalty from Jack Ziebell to help Carlton to a 25-point lead at the final change.

From there, the Blues threatened to kick away before North reeled them in to keep the scoreline respectable.

Ladder

AAP

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