If North Melbourne's growing reputation for losing the unloseable is boosting Carlton's confidence ahead of a critical AFL clash, the Blues aren't saying so.
Carlton midfielder Kade Simpson says the Blues won't treat Friday night's Etihad Stadium match any differently, but admits it is yet another huge battle for his side now they are firmly back in the top eight picture.
The Kangaroos' reputation for squandering big leads grew again after they coughed up a 33-point third-quarter advantage to lose to Brisbane at the weekend.
It is the seventh game North have lost by 16 points or less this season, and the fourth in which they have coughed up a 30-point lead to lose.
North's defeat also heightens the stakes in the battle between the ninth-placed Blues, who hold their destiny in their own hands, and the 11th-placed Kangaroos, who don't.
Simpson believes the Blues' weekend win over bogy side St Kilda is more helpful to their confidence levels than any perceived North mental fragility.
"To get that win, it probably takes a bit of the pressure off and puts the enjoyment back in football," Simpson said on Monday.
"There's probably about six sides that have cemented their (finals) spot, but there's probably about four or five that are fighting it out for two spots in the eight.
"The Kangaroos are one of those sides, along with us.
"I wouldn't see us setting ourselves any different from any other week."
Carlton had lost four matches in a row prior to the 36-point win over St Kilda.
Simpson said Blues forward Jarrad Waite was some chance of playing on Friday night as he battles a knee injury which kept him out of the Saints' clash.
Waite's loss wasn't felt, with key forwards Lachie Henderson and Sam Rowe booting seven goals between them in his absence.
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