The Northern Blues have welcomed back Nick Graham to the Bertocchi 23 ahead of this week’s game with Sandringham.
Graham, who was absent from competition a fortnight ago as an emergency for the AFL game, will play in the VFL this Saturday at Preston City Oval.
In what is looming to be a contested game on Saturday, the inclusion of Graham alongside the likes of Mark Whiley and Tom Wilson is a welcomed one for a Northern side which has won three games in a row.
The side has two confirmed exclusions from the win against Box Hill, with Andrew Phillips and Jason Tutt both rewarded with AFL selection.
Carlton young forward Harry McKay will make his return via the Development League.
After a lengthy layoff through a back injury, McKay will front up on Saturday morning, with the match to commence at 11am.
The story is different for fellow Carlton youngster Charlie Curnow, however, who was earmarked for a return from glandular fever on Saturday but won't play after rolling his ankle at training on Wednesday.
Northern Blues-listed youngster Cameron Barrett also comes into the side and will play his first senior game for the club as 23rd man this weekend.
Kye Declase could be in line for a debut after being included on the extended bench, alongside other potential inclusions Matthew Korcheck, Dyson Stevens and Glenn Strachan.
The squad will be trimmed down to 23 on the morning of the game against Sandringham, in a match which will see both clubs looking for their fourth consecutive victory.
The Northern Blues' Round 12 squad. (Graphic by the Northern Blues)
The Blues have named a settled attack and defence for the third consecutive match, while Cameron Wood will fill the ruck role vacated by the missing Phillips.
Jack Billings won’t play after being called up for St. Kilda selection, but recent AFL debutant Lewis Pierce has been named for Sandringham.
Bailey Rice - who played two games for the Blues last season including one against the Zebras - will also front up for Sandringham, as will AFL-listed goalsneaks Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair.
As was confirmed earlier in the week, the match has had a venue change and will now be played at Preston City Oval from 2:10pm.
With Carlton venturing to Spotless Stadium this weekend to take on the Giants, Northern’s game presents the best chance for Blues fans to see live football this weekend. In further positive news, the VFL game will also be broadcast live on Channel Seven.
