THE Northern Blues will head to the Apple Isle this weekend to take on the Box Hill Hawks at the University of Tasmania Stadium.

From 4:10pm on Saturday, Northern will once again act as the curtain-raiser for Carlton’s JLT clash when it does battle with the VFL Hawks.

It will precede Carlton and Hawthorn’s JLT Challenge Series match which kicks off at 7:05pm.

The Northern Blues Blues will be hoping to build on the impressive signs shown in their draw against Sandringham mid-week.

It will be another opportunity for Josh Fraser’s side to gel and both AFL and VFL-listed Blues to get game time under their belt ahead of the home-and-away season.

Once again, a ticket into the JLT clash between Hawthorn and Carlton will grant entry into the VFL practice match.

The Northern Blues’ home-and-away season kicks off on Saturday, April 7, hosting Collingwood at Preston City Oval.