The Northern Blues will be out to get their 2017 campaign off on a winning note in tomorrow’s season opener against Port Melbourne.
Heading to North Port Oval with the match commencing from 2pm, the Blues will be out to overturn history on two fronts.
The Blues haven’t won an opening round contest for three years, and more significantly have a poor recent record against one of their traditional arch-rivals.
Port has had the wood over the Blues in recent times, with the away side winless in nine outings since 2010.
There’ll be a heavy Carlton influence in the squad tomorrow, with potentially a record amount of AFL-listed players to front up in Blues colours on Saturday.
One of those AFL-listed Blues is Andrew Phillips, with the ruckman to make his return from a lengthy foot injury.
Dennis Armfield and first-gamer Alex Silvagni will also play for Northern, providing much-needed experience to a youthful Blues outfit.
Alex Silvagni will his play his first Northern Blues game on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)
With a number of Carlton’s first-year draftees named, it will provide a great opportunity for the youngsters to step up against one of the premier VFL sides of the last decade.
Highly-rated off-season recruits Cameron O’Shea, Luke Russell and youngster Marcus Stavrou will also make their debuts for their new club, joined by ever-present captain Tom Wilson.
Both sides come into the game off the back of promising finishes to pre-season, with Northern getting the better of Werribee and Port Melbourne trouncing Coburg by over 10 goals.
A number of familiar opponents await the Blues, but none more so than former Carlton youngster Dillon Viojo-Rainbow, who will play his first game for his new club Port Melbourne tomorrow afternoon.
With both sides experienced a sizeable list turnover over the off-season, players from either team will be looking to make their mark in the standalone VFL season opener.
MATCH DETAILS
Port Melbourne vs. Northern Blues
North Port Oval
Saturday, 8 April — 2pm
$10 adults, $5 concession, children under 15 FREE
Northern Blues members — half-price
Coverage: The game will be streamed live on VFL.com.au, with radio coverage also available via VFL Live.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alex Silvagni: While the Blues will miss the departed Kieran McGuinness in retirement, the veteran’s void will be filled by the experienced Silvagni alongside Cameron O’Shea down back. Silvagni got amongst the action in Northern’s practice match a fortnight ago against Richmond, and will provide a calm head against a Port Melbourne side ladened with attacking options. After conceding a number of big scores last season, the Blues will be looking to quell the opposition in 2017, and Silvagni will be central to that tomorrow.
Kristian Jaksch: Named at centre-half-forward, Jaksch was highlighted earlier in the week by senior coach Josh Fraser after some positive showings in the pre-season. Jaksch kicked 10 goals from four games in Northern’s practice matches, and will again provide a focal point for the Blues alongside forward partners Liam Jones and Harry McKay. With Northern naming a number of big forwards who can take a mark and hit the scoreboard, the onus will be on Jaksch and his fellow partners to convert and be the driving force behind the Blues kicking a winning score.
Luke Russell: Another new Blue that will be playing tomorrow afternoon, Luke Russell will play a vital role for Northern’s midfield. With the Borough’s big-bodied on-ballers so often the nemesis of the Blues in the past, Russell will have to step up to the plate in game one with the support of David Cuningham and Nick Graham. A smooth-moving midfielder with a burst of speed, the midfield battle will be crucial if Northern are to finally get one over Port.
