Peter Jackson VFL – Round 1
Sunday 6 August 2014 – 2pm AEST
Northern Blues v Williamstown
Visy Park, North Carlton

The temperature drops, days grow shorter and there’s that familiar anticipation in the air. After five long months of pre-season, the Northern Blues kick-start their 2014 Peter Jackson VFL campaign this Sunday against Williamstown at Visy Park.

Much is to be made of the last match of Round 1 between two sides desperate to earn the four premiership points on offer for differing reasons.

Williamstown re-enter the competition as a standalone club, doing so in their 150^th year, while the Northern Blues embark on the journey of the 2014 season with almost an unrecognisable playing group from that which took the field in 2013.

Despite playing six practice matches over the pre-season, it’s difficult to gauge the Blues’ form line, having used all but perhaps the final two matches as auditions to finalise their squad.

Losses in the final two matches to Box Hill and Sandringham with full strength sides may cause some concern from Luke Webster’s side. However, with five of the six practice matches held at Visy Park, the Blues will be well accustomed with their home turf come Sunday.

The side is almost set to be entirely made up of Carlton-listed players, with promising Brisbane Lions recruit Sam Docherty in line to return to football after several months off with a quad injury. In accordance to the AFL side, the Blues have named a thoroughly extended bench, with the full side still to be confirmed.

For Williamstown, a strange and tangled fixture that sees their involvement in this year’s Foxtel Cup has already had them play for premiership points; playing their Round 15 fixture last week against fellow Foxtel Cup participant and 2013 VFL premiers, Box Hill.

The premiers’ pressure was too much for Williamstown, whose lack of composure by foot and hurried decision-making allowed the Hawks the hit the scoreboard with more regularity and run out 13-point winners.

The Blues will have plenty of players to keep an eye on in Seagulls outfits, no more so than three ex-teammates in Kane Lambert, Adam Marcon and Nick Meese.

While well documented the off-field discord between the two clubs over player poaching during the off-season, both clubs insist that the external plot lines will play little part in the match once the ball is bounced on Sunday.

Northern will be hoping to curb the influence of the likes of Willie Wheeler and Cam Lockwood – who took the Blues apart in their last encounter – plus new recruit, Scott Clouston.

Seagulls captain Ben Jolley, playing his 175^th VFL (qualifying him for VFL Life Membership) could also be a factor, although the Blues’ midfield stocks that could include Dennis Armfield, Jaryd Cachia and the in-form Nick Graham will provide an intriguing midfield contest.

Conditions are expected to be mostly fine with a hint of blustery wind, but expect no environmental or past factors to be of concern when these two sides meet for what should be both a gripping contest and a thrilling way to Round 1.

Player Watch:

Nick Graham – Put simply, Graham is doing just about all he can to keep himself in consideration for Mick Malthouse’s side with a string of consistent pre-season performances. Fast becoming a renowned ball-winner, an ability to hit the scoreboard might be one of the keys to a possible Northern Blues victory.

Cameron Wood – Arguably the most influential ruckman in the competition, Wood’s involvement in this match adds some flavour to the pre-match plotline, given he too will be lining up against his old club. Has been in scintillating form with his tap work.

Joel Wilkinson – One of the few Northern Blues-listed players picked in the selected squads, yet would be a certainty to play given his status as vice-captain. The Gold Coast Suns recruit has been a rock of leadership since his arrival at the club, yet a positional change to the midfield has yet to see him totally reach his full potential through the pre-season. With a deep Blues midfield, a move back to his more customary half-back position may release the shackles.