The Northern Blues will be looking to continue their winning ways when they head to Victoria Park on Sunday to take on Collingwood.
After consecutive wins in the last fortnight, the Blues face another stern test in a historic day at Collingwood’s old stomping ground.
With Carlton facing off against the Pies in their 125th anniversary celebration the day prior, Sunday’s VFL game will be 125 years to the day (May 7, 1892) since Collingwood’s first-ever game against the Blues.
Northern will largely be out to spoil the party, and could call on as many as 19 Carlton-listed players to get a third straight win.
Half-a-dozen Carlton players all return to VFL action after missing against Coburg, with Daniel Gorringe, Matthew Korcheck, Jed Lamb, Harrison Macreadie, Ciaran Sheehan and Liam Sumner joining Northern’s Luke Russell as the returnees.
While Collingwood have only enjoyed one win to date (a gritty victory against Coburg in Round 1), form so often goes out the window in these games, particularly given the emotion of the occasion.
The Pies also have no shortage of AFL talent, with James Aish, Jarryd Blair, Chris Mayne and Jesse White among a host of Collingwood-listed players featuring on Sunday afternoon.
Also included at Victoria Park are three familiar names, with the second-generation Brown (Callum), Daicos (Josh) and Starcevich (VFL-listed Jackson) all in line to play.
Looking for their first win over the Pies in three years, the Blues are fully aware of Collingwood’s capabilities, with last year’s preliminary finalists blowing Northern out of the water early in both games last season.
While there has been a considerable list change at the Pies over the off-season, there is undoubted quality in their line-up and Northern will have to be at their best to get a result.
With Liam Jones, Harry McKay and Andrew Phillips all in good VFL form, the Blues will be reliant on their talls to assert their dominance on what is looming to be an exciting day at Victoria Park.
A win would be Northern’s third in a row and take them to a 3-1 start, while a loss would see them have an even ledger after four rounds.
Entry is free for all supporters heading to Victoria Park on Sunday, with the match beginning from 1pm.
MATCH DETAILS
VFL Round 4
Collingwood vs. Northern Blues
Victoria Park
Sunday, May 7 — 1pm
Free entry for all supporters
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kristian Jaksch: In the absence of Jesse Glass-McCasker and Alex Silvagni among others, Jaksch may find himself down back but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him feature at both ends. Jaksch has hit the scoreboard in each of the games he’s played this season, while also spending time down back. With Cameron O’Shea and the returning Harrison Macreadie also stationed there, the Blues will back themselves at their best to thwart Collingwood.
Jarrod Pickett: The exciting youngster played the first five games of the AFL season, before making his first VFL appearance last weekend. Senior coach Josh Fraser put the challenge to Pickett and his teammates to fire on all fronts. With the Blues having a number of tall targets, Pickett will be central to giving his forwards the opportunity to kick a winning score.
Luke Russell: The Blue recruit returns to the fold after missing last week’s big win over Coburg through injury. Russell was one of his side’s best performers in the win over Williamstown, and will have a significant role to play between the arcs. With David Cuningham and Dale Thomas missing through AFL selection, Russell will have to step up and put in another big shift in his third VFL game.
