The Northern Blues recorded a nail-biting six-point victory against Footscray at Ikon Park today.

The Blues survived a late scare after being up by as much as 23 points midway through the third term, eventually holding on 11. 11. (77) to 10. 11. (71).

It was Northern’s tall forwards who got the side over the line on the scoreboard, with Liam Jones, Harry McKay and Kristian Jaksch combining for eight goals.

The win was the Blues’ second on the trot, and represented nearly a 10-goal turnaround from the last time the sides met in Round 1.

In cold and windy conditions, Footscray was able to conjure up the first goal of the match after six minutes, but it was all Northern for the remainder of the term.

The home side controlled the ball (106 disposals to 71) and centre clearances (5-1) in the first quarter, as Northern’s tall trio was able to give the Blues’ a 17-point lead heading into the break.

A tight tussle ensued from the second term, as both sides went goal-for-goal in a quarter which saw four goals split evenly between the two sides.

Andrejs Everitt (20 disposals, 11 marks) provided the highlight, going back with the flight to courageously set up McKay for his second as the Blues took a 15-point lead into half-time.

Both Jones and McKay continued their good form, as they took strong marks and converted their set shots as the Blues skipped away to a game high 23-point lead halfway through the third term.

The Blues continued to press but struggled to break away from the plucky Bulldogs, who have been the VFL’s best finishing team this season.

Holding true to recent form, the momentum shifted in favour of the Dogs in the final quarter as they kicked four goals to one in the opening 15 minutes to hit the lead by a point.

Northern then wrestled back the lead after a clutch snap by winger Hisham Kerbatieh put the Blues back in front by a goal.

Matthew Korcheck then stepped up to the plate very late in the piece with a huge contested grab deep inside forward 50, which he then confidently slotted to extend the margin out to an even two goals.

A late goal in the shadows of the final siren to the Bulldogs’ Lukas Webb brought it back to an even kick, but the Blues held on strongly in a marathon 33-minute final quarter to record a hard-earned six-point win.

The Blues’ midfield worked in tandem effectively for the second week running, with Mark Whiley amassing 31 disposals to lead all possession getters on the ground, closely followed by inspirational captain Tom Wilson (28 disposals).

Jones and McKay both finished the day on three goals each and proved pivotal all afternoon, as Jaksch kicked two while swinging between attack and defence. 

Speaking after the win, Korcheck was pleased by the side’s ability to hold on for a dogged win, particularly given the result between the two sides earlier in the year.

“I had full faith in our team and we had full faith in each other that we’d continue to stay strong and grind it out against a quality team,” Korcheck said.

”On the goal, I usually look for the handball but everybody backed me in - I decided to take the shot and I am glad that I did.”

The Northern Blues’ next match comes against Werribee from Avalon Airport Oval next Sunday from 11:40am, with the game to be broadcast on Channel 7. 

NORTHERN BLUES   4.3       6.4       8.8       11. 11. (77)
FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS   1.4       3.7       5.9       10. 11. (71)

GOALS
Northern Blues: L. Jones 3, McKay 3, Jaksch 2, Declase, Kerbatieh, Korcheck

BESTS
Northern Blues: Wilson, Jaksch, Everitt, Tutt, L. Jones, Russell