CARLTON ruckman Andrew Phillips will play his first game in nine months when he returns for the Northern Blues today. 

Phillips has been named for the first time since June last year, where a foot injury brought about a premature end to his 2017.

The ruckman has been named in place of injured big man Matthew Lobbe (corked quad) in Northern’s squad to take on Richmond at Punt Road. 

The squad for the match, which begins at 4:15pm, sees 16 Carlton-listed players named, including Jesse Glass-McCasker and Nick Graham. 

The pair has been named to play after missing Northern’s last practice match against Box Hill in Launceston.  

Ten Carlton-listed players under the age of 21 have been named to play: David Cuningham, Tom De Koning, Patrick Kerr, Kym Lebois, Harrison Macreadie, Cillian McDaid, Harry McKay, Lochie O’Brien, Cameron Polson and Angus Schumacher.

The experience will come from Sam Kerridge, Cameron O’Shea and Alex Silvagni, as well as the Northern Blues-listed Josh Hill.

Graphic courtesy of the Northern Blues Football Club.

Hill, who arrived at the Blues over the summer, will play his first game for the club since arriving from the West Coast Eagles. The forward has over 170 AFL games under his belt. 

He’ll by joined by Northern youngsters Jordan Lynch and Brendan Myers, who are also featuring in their first games of the pre-season. 

The match is the Northern Blues’ second-last practice match, prior to their home-and-away campaign kicking off against Collingwood on Saturday, April 7.

The game at the Swinburne Centre (Punt Road) is free entry for all supporters.