Carlton have spoilt Adam Simpson's retirement party, beating North Melbourne by 10 points in a scrappy AFL match at Etihad Stadium.

The Kangaroos had plenty of late chances, but kicked nine behinds and one out on the full in the last quarter on Friday night as the Blues won 14.10 (94) to 11.18 (84).

The two teams formed a guard of honour at the end of the game for Simpson, who was chaired off in his 306th and final game.

Simpson suffered a bad leg cramp at training on the eve of the match and was clearly not 100 per cent fit, but he had 20 disposals and set up three goals.

Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy kicked four goals and had 23 disposals, while Lindsay Thomas kicked four goals for the Kangaroos.

The Blues were well below their best, but the win consolidates their top-eight berth with a month left in the regular season.

They had made six changes for this game, five of them unforced.

Carlton kicked a vital goal at 20 minutes in the last quarter when Thomas tried to centre the ball through the midfield.

Mitch Robinson intercepted and the ball ended up with Bret Thornton in the goalsquare, who put it through.

Thornton, a key defender, was moved forward after suffering a nasty shoulder injury in the first quarter to kick two goals, doubling his career goals tally after 144 games.

Carlton lifted noticeably in the third term, kicking six goals to four and leading by four points at the final change.

North twice led by 17 points late in the second term and again by 16 early in the third quarter, but they were unable to shake the Blues.

Carlton started winning more of the ball around stoppages and looked better in attack as they were able to match North's relentless pressure.

The Blues hit the front at 17 minutes when Fevola kicked his second goal and a few minutes later threatened to break clear with two goals in as many minutes from Fevola and Murphy.

But a pass from Simpson set up Thomas for his fourth goal.

Carlton's ball movement had been too haphazard during the first half as North piled on the physical pressure.

Adding to Carlton's problems, defenders Paul Bower and Thornton had to leave the field during the first quarter when North forward Drew Petrie crashed into them at a marking contest.

Bower and Thornton were back on the field by the main break, but Thornton in particular looked proppy.

North suffered their own injury blow in the second term when Leigh Harding limped from the field after taking a mark.

Harding had kicked two goals and the key forward was causing major headaches for the Carlton defence.

Carlton captain Chris Judd finished with 21 touches despite a determined tagging job from Levi Greenwood.

After the concerns about Simpson's fitness, the only pre-game withdrawal was Blues defender Michael Jamison, who was forced out with a groin injury.

Simpson admitted to shedding some tears before and after the game but his overriding emotion, post-match, was relief.

"No fairytales, but I'm pretty proud of the boys, the way they had a go," he said.

"It was a sensational effort, really ... we had our chances, didn't we?"

He also had no doubt that now was the right time to leave the game.

"I reckon I'm pretty close to that cliff that they all talk about falling off," he said.

"I might have been a little bit on the edge the last couple of weeks and I think Darren (coach Darren Crocker) has picked up on that.

"I went to the club with a decision and they understood - but we got a really good glimpse of the youth today as well."

Simpson also admitted there was some doubt about whether he could play.

When he stood to leave his post-match media conference, Simpson could barely walk because of his sore calf muscle.

But he and coach Darren Crocker thought Simpson contributed and had no second thoughts about the decision for him to play.

"There was a little bit of doubt ... but the magical hands of (club doctor) Con Mitropoulos and the club physios got me over the line.

"To Darren's credit as well ... he never once questioned my spot in the team, which I appreciate." Carlton coach Brett Ratten said his men were not putting any imprint on the game in the first half, but they lifted through the midfield.

"The satisfaction will be hopefully in the improvement that we make from that (game)," Ratten said.

"Games like that in the past, we might have slipped up."

Crocker said Greenwood had to go off Judd late in the game because the North tagger suffered a knee injury.

Crocker also praised young full-back Scott Thompson, who kept Fevola to two goals.

Ratten also revealed post-match that Murphy had a great game despite suffering from the 'flu during the week.

"He was right on his game, that run and carry, it was fantastic," Ratten said.

"He was probably in doubt a little bit to play, which no-one knows - he crawled out of bed yesterday to train.

"To get through and do what he's done is a super effort.

"He just had the 'flu, but he got it later rather than earlier in the week, which can hinder you coming into the game."

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