Lachie Plowman has been named as one of 24 Carlton-listed players for Saturday's practice match against Port Melbourne at Preston City Oval.
The former Giant-turned-Blue will make his first appearance of 2016, after a hip injury curtailed his maiden pre-season at Ikon Park.
A former pick 3, Plowman came to the Blues at the end of last year with much anticipation as an exciting defensive prospect.
Plowman is joined by Jayden Foster, Dylan Buckley, Charlie Curnow, Jed Lamb, Andrew Phillips, Sam Rowe, Clem Smith, Mark Whiley and Matthew Wright as additions to the team that triumphed over the VFL Tigers last week.
The 28-man squad – which includes all of Carlton’s players named on an extended interchange for Round 2 - will be cut down tomorrow evening when Carlton finalises its team for its clash against Sydney on Sunday.
Liam Sumner will play for the second consecutive week after making a successful return from injury against Richmond, but Matthew Korcheck, Zach Ballard, Brent Bransgrove, Kye Declase, Glenn Strachan and Ben Casley will miss.
Daniel Gorringe, Liam Jones and Jack Silvagni all feature in the forward line after their respective three-goal performances in last week’s big win.
After impressing their coaches last week, Matthew Dick and Ciaran Byrne have again been included, although the latter could feature in Carlton’s match with the Swans having been named in the 25-man AFL squad.
With the Blues’ VFL season to start on April 10, the practice match against the high-flying Borough presents the last chance for Northern to blow out the cobwebs before the home and away season.
The senior match commences at 1pm from Preston City Oval, with entry free for all supporters.
MATCH DETAILS
Northern Blues vs. Port Melbourne
Saturday, 2 April
1pm, Preston City Oval
FREE entry
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Daniel Gorringe: The former Gold Coast Sun’s first practice match for Northern was an impressive one, turning on the style in the second quarter on his way to kicking three goals. Playing exclusively up forward, Gorringe proved himself to be a dangerous proposition, and he will be looking to continue his good form against a Port Melbourne side which came away with a gritty victory against Frankston last week.
Mark Whiley: After coming third in the Northern Blues’ best and fairest in his first season as a Blue, Whiley will line up for the first time in 2016 in Northern colours. Held over last week as an emergency for the season opener, Whiley is coming off the back of an impressive NAB Challenge, and showed how effective he could be in the clinches last season at VFL level.
Sam Russell: The former Port Adelaide rookie played his first game for his new club and performed with aplomb, earning a recall for his second consecutive match. Brother of former Carlton rookie and new Northern Blue Fraser, Russell put his hand up for a senior debut in Round 1 against Footscray and will be hoping to make it two solid performances from two against the Borough.
NORTHERN BLUES SQUAD
1. Tom Wilson, 2. Jack Silvagni, 3. David Cuningham, 4. Sam Russell, 7. Dylan Buckley, 11. Kieran McGuinness, 14. Liam Jones, 15. Andrew Phillips, 17. Sam Rowe, 18. Daniel Gorringe, 23. Hisham Kerbatieh, 26. Matthew Dick, 31. Jayden Foster, 33. Matthew Wright, 34. Jesse Glass-McCasker, 36. Cameron Wood, 38. Billy Gowers, 42. Mark Whiley, 44. Lachie Plowman, 46. Liam Sumner, 48. Kristian Jaksch, 51. Jed Lamb, 56. Andrew Gallucci, 58. Charlie Curnow, 59. Ciaran Byrne, 65. Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, 67. Clem Smith, 76. Jason Tutt
BOLD indicates Carlton-listed player. Final team will be dependent on Carlton's final team for its clash against Sydney.
