A frustrating start to the year for the Blues has culminated in optimism for 2013 and beyond thanks to a number of solid wins against top opposition and the improvement of the club's younger brigade.
It took only 54 seconds for the Northern Blues to get on the board and it led to a continuation of their fast-starting game as they skipped out to an impressive four-goal lead at the first break.
Dynamo Tom Wilson was on fire early as he got on the scoreboard and also had a hand in a number of other goals in the first term.
Dylan Buckley was in the thick of the action with nine disposals and really utilised his speed on the outside to get free of the Frankston midfield.
In the second term, the margin hovered around the five-goal mark, as the Blues and Dolphins traded goals in an arm wrestle of a quarter. Nick Meese was the dominant player around the ground, proving unstoppable in the ruck and also slotting home a rare goal.
A four-goal third term by the Blues snuffed out any chance of a Dolphins revival as Adam Marcon and Aaron Joseph joined in with goals for the Blues, giving the home side a comfortable 29-point buffer come the final quarter of the season.
In a lacklustre final term from both sides, the Northern Blues managed the only two goals, both coming from up and coming key forward Luke Mitchell, including an absolute ring-dinger from where the 50m line meets the boundary.
The 43-point win was a great reward for co-captain Andre Gianfagna, who was representing the Blues for the 50th time in his VFL career, and he was really proud of the way the boys finished off the season.
"After an inconsistent start to the year, the boys can be proud of the way they have conducted themselves and really finished off on a positive note," he said.
Rhys O'Keeffe was the major ball winner for the Northern Blues with a season-high 30 disposals, along with Kane Lucas who was damaging on a wing in easily his best game at VFL level for the season with 27 disposals, while Jordan Russell continued on his recent spell of good form with a 26-disposal outing.
Dylan Buckley played his most consistent four-quarter game for the year, booting three goals and having 17 touches, while Carl Peterson, starting in his first game of the year, was reasonably quiet, though played a hand in a few impressive forward build-ups.
General Manager Garry O'Sullivan was of the view that season 2012 was not a failure and that there were many a positive to come out of the campaign. "We are not disappointed, it hasn't been a waste and with as many as 25 Northern Blues-listed players playing senior football, we believe it provided a wonderful platform for the club to work on in the future."
Goal Kickers: D. Buckley 3, L. Mitchell 2, R. O'Keeffe 2, J. Russell 2, B. Bray, T. Wilson, A. Joseph, A. Collins, N. Meese, A. Marcon
Best Players: R. O'Keeffe, J. Russell, P. Bower, D. Buckley, N. Heyne, T. Wilso
