Senior coach Josh Fraser praised his side’s ability to hold on in Friday's four-point win against Box Hill at Ikon Park.
After leading for the majority of the day, the Northern Blues managed to hold on against a late Hawks flurry to register a close win for the second straight practice match.
With the side containing 13 Carlton-listed youngsters and a number of young VFL Blues, Fraser was heartened by the ability to grind out a result.
“It’s good to create winning habits, it’s been a really long summer and I know the boys have been really keen to start playing games against some opposition,” Fraser said post-match.
“Yesterday afternoon was another great hit-out against traditionally a very strong club. To come away with a win, continue to build our systems and see some encouraging growth was great.
“They’re all competitors, so regardless of it being a practice match everyone was keen to get a result.”
Containing the likes of Tom Williamson (20 disposals) and Zac Fisher (16 disposals, one goal) for the first time, Northern managed to hold on with the ball locked inside Box Hill’s 50 in the closing stages.
Tom Williamson in action against Box Hill. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
Fraser lauded the performances of the collective, which was a mixture of experience and youth against a similarly-placed Box Hill outfit.
“I think there was a lot of growth from some of the Carlton talent that we’ve drafted and brought into the club over the last few years,” Fraser said.
“There were some really good signs from players who have been on the Carlton list for a while and came back and performed, and from our VFL end we continued to expose some key talent.
“I think the growth was right across the ground — obviously the result is really nice but I don’t think we’re running at our best yet. We’ll continue to build towards Round 1.”
With one practice game remaining ahead of the season opener against Port Melbourne, Fraser said Northern would continue to subject a number of young Blues to senior VFL football.
First-year Blue Cameron Polson puts his pace to the test against Box Hill. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
“Our philosophy in these games is to give game-time into a whole lot of boys — we kept exposing some guys to the level,” Fraser said.
“We’ll try to consolidate our side, we’ll continue our emphasis on how we want to be seen and measured.
“It’s exciting, I think our program is in a really exciting phase and the club has brought in some good young talent from a VFL and Carlton end."
The Northern Blues will take on Richmond’s VFL side on Thursday, March 23 in its final 2017 pre-season match.
