The Northern Blues will host the reigning premiers on Saturday morning at Ikon Park, looking for their second consecutive win.

Footscray heads to Royal Parade and will provide a huge test for the Blues, with once again a result either way having big implications for both sides.

Following a big loss last weekend, a victory could set the Dogs up for another tilt at the top four, while a win would more than likely see the Blues sitting in the top eight at the end of the round.

While both sides look to take a majority of VFL-listed players, there will be a number of senior AFL boys featuring in a quintessential ‘eight-point’ game.

In opposition, the Dogs have welcomed back AFL premiership stars Matthew Boyd and Josh Dunkley, as well as youngster Patrick Lipinski.

However, they’ve lost captain Jordan Russell through injury, as well as Clay Smith through AFL selection.

The Blues have also swung the changes, with Dennis Armfield, Blaine Boekhorst, Jarrod Pickett and Billie Smedts rewarded with call-ups to Carlton for their roles in Northern’s narrow win over Geelong.


Graphic by the Northern Blues Football Club.

Both sides will look to take in 10 AFL-listed players, with Northern to be reliant on Kristian Jaksch to kick their goals: he kicked four goals last weekend against the Cats.

It’ll be the first time the two sides meet in over 12 months, and the Blues will be looking for a similar result: a late Matthew Korcheck goal sealed a memorable six-point win.

The big American will be tasked with a big responsibility in the ruck, with exciting Dog Tim English named against him.

Korcheck will be without the help of Daniel Gorringe, who will miss through injury. He will likely be partnered by either Sean Bolger or Northern Knight Matthew Harman, who have been named on an extended bench.

Today will be the final VFL game to be played at Ikon Park in 2017, with free entry applicable to Carlton and/or Northern Blues members. The senior game begins at 11am, and will be followed by the Development match at 2pm.

MATCH DETAILS
Round 16 VFL
Northern Blues vs. Footscray
Ikon Park
Saturday, 5 August — 11am
Entry — Adults $10, Concession $5, Children under-15 enter free
Carlton Football Club and/or Northern Blues Football Club members — Free entry

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ciaran Byrne: Byrne is one of three Carlton-listed inclusions for the game against the Dogs. After working his work back into the AFL team following a layoff with an ACL injury, Byrne has missed the last fortnight with an injury hiccup. Now back in action for Northern, he will play a key rebounding role for the Blues alongside fellow inclusion Harrison Macreadie.

Rhys Palmer: With some key midfielders out of the team from last weekend, Palmer will need to step up and put in a big performance if the Blues are to win their second straight game. Rising to the occasion with an important goal in the final term last weekend, Palmer has averaged over 20 disposals a game for Northern in 2017: similar output will be a must.

Tom Wilson: The captain returned from illness last week to put in one of his best performances for the year. With a number of his midfield counterparts out, Wilson will once again need to do what he’s done so many times in the past: muster up an individual performance when his side has needed him to most. He collected 28 disposals and was one of his side’s best the last time the sides met in 2016.