The Northern Blues’ 2017 campaign continues to take shape, with this week marking two months before their VFL home-and-away season gets underway.

Here are six matches which have the ability to shape Northern’s season in what is once again promising to be a VFL year that goes right down to the wire.

Round 1 vs. Port Melbourne
Saturday, April 8 — North Port Oval, 2pm

Late last week, it was announced that the Northern Blues will open the 2017 season a week early when they head to North Port Oval to take on the Borough. Faced with a formidable test first-up at Port’s fortress, it will be a significant coup for the Blues, particularly with all eyes on the contest as a standalone fixture that weekend. A win would also provide two significant milestones for Northern: the Blues haven’t won their opening game in three years, and haven’t tasted success over the Borough since 2010.

Round 4 vs. Collingwood
Sunday, May 7 — Victoria Park, 1pm

The Northern Blues will be out to spoil the party when they head to Victoria Park on the weekend of Collingwood celebrating its 125th year. A day after old enemies Collingwood and Carlton meet at the MCG, the match promises to be an exciting old-fashioned suburban tussle. After two heartbreaking losses in 2016 against the Pies, the early-season contest with last season’s preliminary finalist will also provide a big indication of the Blues’ standing in the competition.

Josh Fraser is preparing for his second year as coach of the Northern Blues. (Photo: Jason Heidrich)

Round 8 vs. Coburg
Saturday, June 10 — Preston City Oval, 2pm

The Round 8 contest between the local rivals will be the second Battle of Bell in the space of six weeks, with the sides to meet at Piranha Park in Round 3. Last time the sides met, it was one of the most emotionally charged games of the year, as the Blues managed to hold off the Lions and send departing champion Brent Bransgrove out as a winner. It’ll be Northern’s first game in three weeks after having two byes in the preceding fortnight, and as always will be out to get local bragging rights.

Round 10 vs. Richmond
Sunday, June 25 — Punt Road Oval, 12pm

Blues fans will get a taste of this fixture in March, with Northern and the Tigers to meet in pre-season at Punt Road ahead of the AFL season opener later that night. Being played immediately before the Round 14 between the respective AFL sides, this VFL contest will be the first of six straight hours of uninterrupted Blues-Tigers football. It’ll be the only match for the Blues away from home in the space of two months from Rounds 5-12, with the rest coming from either Preston City Oval or Ikon Park.

Round 16 vs. Footscray
Saturday, August 5 — Ikon Park, 11am

Northern will once again host Footscray late in the season at Ikon Park, after enjoying a nail-biting victory over the eventual premier in 2016. The Blues will also welcome back two familiar faces, with Jayden Foster and Bill Gowers signing for the Dogs ahead of the upcoming season. The early bounce of 11am has been designed to let Blues fans head to the MCG later that day, ahead of the Round 20 clash with Essendon.

Round 19 vs. Box Hill Hawks
Saturday, August 27 — Box Hill City Oval, 2pm

In the final game of the home-and-away season, the Blues head to the venue where they enjoyed one of their best wins under senior coach Josh Fraser in 2016. With the two sides to also meet earlier in the year (Round 11), a second straight triumph at Box Hill City Oval could prove to be a vital four points for Northern as it looks to make a first finals appearance since 2011 and end the home-and-away year in the best possible way.

With no Northern Blues game to clash with a Carlton fixture in Victoria, fans will get every opportunity to see all their Blues in action in 2017. Sign up for a Northern Blues membership today from just $30 to support the boys from Preston City Oval - click here or call (03) 9470 2224.

NORTHERN BLUES 2017 VFL FIXTURE: