Peter Jackson VFL - Round 3
Sandringham vs Northern Blues
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham
Sunday, May 3 2015, 2pm
Last 5 – Zebras: 2 Blues: 3
Last Time They Met: Northern Blues 11. 7. (73) defeated Sandringham Zebras 9. 7. (61) – Round 9, 2014 at Ikon Park
The Northern Blues will search for their maiden win of the season on Sunday, as they do battle against Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
After two devastating losses to start the season, the Blues will be aiming to break their 2015 duck against a Zebras side coming off the wrong end of a 58-point loss to Williamstown last week.
The Blues have gained considerable AFL experience, headlined by the return from injury for Troy Menzel and Levi Casboult from Carlton.
Blaine Johnson, Matthew Dick and Jason Tutt - all of whom played critical roles for the Blues in Round 1 against Williamstown - round out the inclusions.
The five inclusions brings the Carlton contingent to 16, and are in stark contrast to last week’s changes which saw the Blues lose nearly 100 games of VFL experience ahead of the loss to Port Melbourne.
The Blues have a plethora of tall options at their disposal, with Casboult, Jayden Foster and Matthew Watson all looking likely to play up forward alongside Menzel in what will be the youngster’s first VFL game since Round 16, 2013.
An experienced Blues forward line littered with Carlton-listed players will be looking to get the upper hand against a Sandringham defence spearheaded by ex-Geelong Cat Mitch Brown and young Saint Hugh Goddard.
Goddard was named as one of his side’s best performers in last week’s loss to the Seagulls, as were Blake Acres and Daniel McKenzie – both of whom have been called up to the St. Kilda side facing Essendon on Sunday.
No.1 draft pick Patrick McCartin has been named for the Zebras. Following two accomplished performances at full-back, Tom Fields looms as the likely match-up for McCartin.
Former Northern Bullant Ahmed Saad is one of five omissions from the Saints, alongside Cameron Shenton, Tom Curren, Nathan Wright and McCartin.
Last time the two sides met, Northern Blues debutants Jordan Perry and Chris Judd were treated to a Gatorade shower for the ages, as Northern prevailed by 12 points at Ikon Park.
Follow the Northern Blues on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for coverage and updates throughout the day. The match will also be broadcast by Casey Radio and can be streamed on 97.7 FM (for Melbourne metropolitan listeners) and www.caseyradio.com.au.
Northern Blues VFL
B Smith Fields McGuinness
HB Wilkinson Watson Dick
C Russell Walsh Tutt
HF Viojo-Rainbow Foster Johnson
F Menzel Casboult Wilson
R Bolger Holman Graham
I/C from: Perry*, Bransgrove, Gowers Johnston Dirago, Strachan, Bolger, Murray Cattapan
* Denotes 23rd man
