The Northern Blues have shot to the top of the VFL ladder with a commanding 164-point victory over Bendigo Gold at Visy Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Gold competed admirably for the opening eight minutes of the match, in which both teams struggled to penetrate their forward 50s.
However, from the opening goal of the game, the floodgates were well and truly burst open as the Blues piled on the first six goals of the match.
Luke Mitchell contributed the first of his three goals in the first quarter, yet It would only be the beginning of the rout, as the Northern Blues went onto register a further 24 goals over the next three quarters.
Outside Mitchell, the damage was done predominantly by the Blues’ midfielders and small forwards led by Troy Menzel who finished with 4 goals.
David Ellard was impressive in his first match since a hamstring complaint a month ago, finishing with 20 touches and three goals floating across the wing and half forward.
Also returning from a six-week layoff, Andrew Collins contributed solidly to finish with 17 possessions.
Littered with host of big names in the back six, Matthew Watson, Simon White and Nick Duigan were near impenetrable. Duigan finished the day with nine intercept marks, while Watson and White’s ability to win the uncontested football propelled many attacking forays for the Blues.
Rob Warnock was again dominant in the ruck, finishing with 51 hit outs to compliment his 20 possessions and a goal. His form paved the way for Tom Bell (26 possessions, 2 goals) and leading ball-winner Ed Curnow (27 possessions) to consistently drive the Blues forward as seen in their dominance in the clearances (38-27) and contested possession (123-62).
Jaryd Cachia was also once again influential, playing a shutdown role on Bendigo skipper, Sam Stroobants. Cachia kept his opponent to just 11 possessions, whilst grabbing 18 disposals himself to continue his good start to the season.
But in a whitewash of a match, it was Jeremy Laidler’s performance – three goals as a revelation lead-up forward – that caught the eye.
“It was nice to get up forward, kick a couple of goals and contribute to a really solid win,” Laidler said post-match.
“The boys responded well to Webby’s (coach Luke Webster’s) team-first approach. We kept things pretty simple out there.
“I know what I have to work on to step back into seniors in terms of playing my role…I’ve just got to keep showing signs that I can put my hand up to play either forward or down back.”
The Blues will face cross-town foes Coburg in a suburban grudge match next Sunday afternoon at Mantello Holden Oval.
NORTHERN BLUES 6.2 15. 7 22.14 30. 16. (196)
BENDIGO GOLD 1.1 1.1 2.6 4.8. (32)
GOALS: Thomas 6, Menzel 4, Laidler 3, Ellard 3, Mitchell 3, Bell 2, Marcon 2, Totevski 2, Lambert, Bransgrove, Marcon, Wilson, White, Warnock
BEST: Warnock, Thomas, Bransgrove, Menzel, Curnow, Marcon, Ellard, Laidler
