The siren proved the enemy as the Northern Blues fell by one point to rival Williamstown in a thrilling season opener at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon.
A flurry of late chances saw the Blues threaten to come away from the game with all four points in a second consecutive Round 1 opener, but it was the Seagulls who managed to hold on by the narrowest of margins.
It was a game where the momentum swung back and forth for the entire afternoon, in a match that lived up to the precedent set in the corresponding Round 1 fixture last season.
Williamstown goaled twice in the first four minutes before the Blues responded with the next 11 scoring shots; conversion in front of goal the only thing preventing Northern from having a much greater lead than 12 points at the first change.
From halfway through the first term until early in the second quarter, the Blues did pile on four unanswered goals, with Mark Whiley (28 possessions) and Nick Graham (27) throwing their weight around and sending the Blues forward at every opportunity.
As would prove to be the tone of the match, Williamstown charged again through ball getters Adam Marcon and half-forward sparkle from Anthony Anastasio. Last year’s preliminary finalist's efficiency in ball movement and spread of goal kickers saw it surge back into the contest.
A late goal to Nicholas Sing saw the Seagulls gain a five-point lead at the main break, largely off the back of efficiency in transition and when inside forward 50 (5.3 from 17 inside 50s).
The Blues hit back in the third term off the back of some Jason Tutt (28 possessions, three goals) brilliance in a five-point three-quarter-time buffer.
Williamstown responded in style to Whiley’s opening goal of the last term with the next four goals - including clutch goals from Seagulls recruit Sam Dunnell - to open up a 14-point lead at the 20-minute mark of the last term.
Back-to-back goals from Dylan Buckley and Blaine Johnson amid a host of unsuccessful forward 50 entries made for some thrilling final moments, but a near miss from Clem Smith ensured the tantalising margin stayed to the advantage of the visitors.
For the Blues, Whiley and Tutt put their names forward for AFL selection with accomplished performances, while Carlton rookie Tom Fields shared the spoils in an engrossing battle with key Williamstown forward Scott Clouston.
Carlton's first-round draft pick Blaine Boekhorst also put in his best performance for the Northern Blues to finish with 25 possessions.
For Williamstown, Mitch Banner and Ben Jolley typically battled all afternoon, while Dunell loomed dangerously and defender Peter Faulks blanketed Blues forwards Blaine Johnson and Matthew Watson.
Post-match, Tutt said the result was a bitter pill to swallow, but emphasised that there were positives to come out of the performance against a top-four contender.
“The spirit and the intent of the guys was really good for all four quarters, and while we’re disappointed with the result, there are positives to take out of it for the playing group,” Tutt said.
“We managed to peg them back throughout various stages of the game which just showed the spirit of the boys all day.
“We had a lot of boys who actually had their first taste of proper VFL footy and they stood up really well I felt, which was a real positive sign.”
Tutt paid testament to the efforts of Graham and Whiley in the middle of the ground and said the chance to respond will come next week.
“It was a good step forward for the group against such a good side, but we go out to win every game so while we’re reasonably pleased with the performance, not getting the victory hurts,” Tutt said.
“Port Melbourne will always provide a tough test and it’s always good getting one over Port, so it’s a great opportunity to bounce back next week.”
The Blues travel to North Port Oval to face the Borough on ANZAC Day, commencing at 2pm.
NORTHERN BLUES 3.7 5.11 9.15 12. 17. (89)
WILLIAMSTOWN 2.1 7.4 9.10 13. 12. (90)
GOALS
NORTHERN: Tutt 3, Johnson 2, Graham, Whiley, Buckley, Holman, Russell, Wilson, Watson.
WILLIAMSTOWN: Dunell 2, Marcon, Clouston, Tighe, Carr, Wheeler, Sing, Masters, Johnstone, Banner, Mangan
BEST
NORTHERN: Fields, Tutt, Warnock, Wilson, Graham, Whiley
WILLIAMSTOWN: Faulks, Dunell, Banner, Masters, Mangan, Jolley
