Enigmatic Carlton remains firmly in the finals hunt and ruined the fitting send-off North Melbourne had hoped for retiring veteran Adam Simpson with an ugly 10-point win at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

While the emotional sentiment was with Simpson and the Kangaroos, the Blues were able to hold on in the final term as they posted their 10th win of the season to maintain seventh spot on the ladder.

The wasteful Kangaroos had only themselves to blame, failing to kick a goal and logging nine-straight points in the final term, several from regulation shots.

The Blues face a sterner challenge in Geelong next Friday and will need to win two of their final four home-and-away matches to feature in September for the first time since 2001.

While he didn't get the win he had craved, Simpson won't forget his 306th and final battle.

The dual premiership midfielder had to pass a fitness test on a calf he tore at training during the week and, while given the all-clear, he was clearly inconvenienced through the clash.

He was carried from the field and given a guard of honor by both teams when he left the field for the last time.

Carlton's season was desperately under threat at half-time when it trailed by 11 points but a six-goal-to-four third term proved critical in the Blues posting their first win over the Kangaroos since Round 16, 2004.

While they continue to frustrate fans, there were encouraging signs for the Blues.

Midfielder Nick Stevens (25 possessions) appears leaner and tougher after his month-long spell in the VFL, while Andrew Walker emerged unscathed in his return from major shoulder surgery.

Aided by pain-killing injections after hurting his shoulder in the first term, defender Bret Thornton showed tremendous courage to return to the field.

He emerged as an unlikely hero up forward, kicking two goals, including the sealer. Amazingly, the 144-game backman doubled his career goal tally in one night.

The gutsy Roos did their best for Simpson, none more so than young tagger Levi Greenwood who held Chris Judd to just seven disposals to half-time and 21 for the match.

While Judd was relatively quiet, fellow midfielder Marc Murphy kicked a career-high four goals.

The contest was tight and tough in the opening term with both sides struggling to find space.

The Blues feared the worst when key defenders Paul Bower (knee) and Thornton left the field after a heavy collision in a marking contest.

The Kangaroos attempted to prosper