The Northern Blues suffered their third consecutive loss of the season to the Casey Scorpions on Saturday, falling by 16 points at Visy Park.
In torrential conditions, Casey spearhead Timothy Smith’s five first-half majors proved to be the difference between the two sides, as the Blues fell 8.7 (55) to 10.11 (71).
The Blues’ recent struggles converting on their forward thrusts surfaced again in the clash, registering scores on only 35 per cent of their 43 forward fifty entries.
Northern’s most promising period came in a 28-point third quarter where the Blues gathered momentum following the main break.
Captain Brent Bransgrove said coach Luke Webster urged his side to focus on “making the most of (their) disposal and locking the ball inside fifty” when addressing the team at half time.
Northern responded to their coaches’ call wrestling back to within eight points heading into the final term.
However, the Scorpions frustrated the Blues in the final stages, throwing numbers around and behind the ball to keep both teams goalless until 27 minutes into the last quarter.
Ruckman Cameron Wood was the one beneficiary of the stop-start play, accumulating a staggering 83 hit-outs on the back of 73 against Coburg last week.
For the visitors, Sam Blease offered his side a trusty barricade on the last line of defence, repelling multiple Blues attacks.
Jordie McKenzie was also stellar in the win, racking up 30 possessions and seven clearances for the Scorpions in the midfield.
For the Blues, Jaryd Cachia continued his fantastic VFL form with 31 disposals (18 contested) and nine clearances in conditions that were designed for the hard nut to thrive in.
Nick Graham and Patrick Cripps (injured in the third quarter) were also first-rate in the Northern midfield, combining for nine clearances and 18 tackles.
Josh Bootsma defended well when called upon, offering constant support for his fellow backmen as a third man up in the marking contests.
Brent Bransgrove – who played his first game of VFL for 2014 – was a catalyst in in the Blues’ second half resurgence, kicking both of his goals on the back of some ferocious forward pressure.
Speaking to Northern Blues media post-game, the 26-year old said that despite the loss, there were still some big signs of improvement within the group.
“A couple of things didn’t go our way but I though we had a dig all day, it was disappointing to come up short.”
“Watching from the sidelines over the past few weeks I feel like we’ve taken some big steps forward in becoming more of a team.”
“We’ll stick together over the next few weeks and continue to work on our structures and game plan.”
The win for the Scorpions marks the third time this season they have secured four points away from home following wins at Windy Hill and Frankston.
The Blues, who have now sunk to three wins and three losses, will face Essendon at Windy Hill in their next match on Saturday, May 24.
NORTHERN BLUES 2.1 8.5 8.7 8. 7 (55)
CASEY SCORPIONS 3.2 4.3 9.9 10.11. (71)
GOALS – NORTHERN: Bransgrove 2, Wilson 2, Wood, Cattapan, Temay, Byrne; CASEY: Smith 5, Tapscott 2, Rosier, Michie, Hunt
BEST – NORTHERN: Cachia, Graham, Bransgrove, Bootsma, Anthony, Wood; CASEY: Blease, Smith, McKenzie, Michie, Riley, Barry
