The Northern Blues have been comprehensibly defeated by Collingwood at the MCG by 68 points.
Efficient goal kicking from Collingwood damaged the Blues early, as the Pies went on to double the Blues score, winning comprehensively 21. 10. (136) to 10. 8. (68) in fine conditions at the home of football.
It was an ultimately disappointing result for the Blues (their fifth loss in a row), in a game which was a historic one for the competition.
The tone was set at the start of the game, with a supremely accurate seven-goal opening quarter to the Magpies all but blowing the wind out of the Blues’ sails.
An inability to capitalise on scoring shots hurt the Blues, as they managed five behinds in the first quarter. Conversely, it would take Collingwood nine straight goals before they registered a single behind.
By the third quarter, the Magpies held a forceful 66-point lead, largely due to their ability to kick accurately and mark with strength.
Despite the margin, Blues forward-cum-midfielder Troy Menzel said “the boys dug in all day”.
“Even at three quarter time, when the game looked gone, our effort didn’t drop off,” He said.
Menzel had an outstanding performance for the Blues, slotting a goal alongside 20 possessions, utilising his silky-smooth class to impact the midfield and add a touch of flair to the contest.
In his first VFL appearance since Round 4, Menzel said he “really enjoyed [his] different role today”, moving further up the field in to the midfield.
Despite the loss, Menzel said there were glimpses of excellence from the Blues.
“The boys, in patches, played some really good footy out there,” Menzel said.
“It was mainly skill execution which let us down, but that’s always something we can improve.
“Hopefully we can go away and really take those parts where we did play well, and come out next week and put a full four quarters together.”
Fellow Blue midfielder Sam Cattapan played a leading role, accumulating a game-high 26 disposals, while Matthew Dick followed closely with 20.
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow had an outstanding second half, capitalised by a centre break goal from 50, which at the time was a part of a string of goals for the Blues.
Jesse White proved to be the thorn in the Blues’ side all day, notching up four goals in a dominant display up forward which saw him have no less than three individual opponents.
Patrick Karnezis and Nick Gray were also among the Pies’ more influential, in a game which they dominated particularly from quarter time.
Matthew Watson was the Blues’ only multiple goal kicker with two for the day, while his customary forward partner Liam Jones was given a different role down back.
VFL debutant and potential Carlton father-son recruit Bailey Rice had his first taste of the big stage at the MCG too, gathering 12 possessions and putting forward a case for further VFL team selection.
Next week, the Blues host Sandrigham at Ikon Park on Sunday August 16th, bounce at 2pm.
NORTHERN BLUES 2.5 4.6 7.7 10. 8 (68)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 7.0 11.3 18.7 21. 10. (136)
GOALS
NORTHERN BLUES: Watson 2, Johnson, Menzel, Jaksch, Wilson, Murray, Walton, Viojo-Rainbow, Armitage.
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES: White 4, Karnezis 3, Seedsman 2, J.Williams 2, Cox 2, Gray 2, Matheson, Taylor, Hellier, Witts, Blair
