Peter Jackson VFL – Round 5
Coburg Lions v Northern Blues
Saturday 3 May 2014 – 1:10pm AEST
Preston City Oval, Preston
LAST TIME THEY MET
Rd 15, 2013: Northern Blues 17.16-118 defeated Coburg Tigers 9.6-60 at Preston City Oval
HEAD TO HEAD
Games 149
Northern Blues 73 Werribee Tigers 73 Draws 3
Round 5 sees the Northern Blues return to the spiritual home that is Preston City Oval on Saturday to face a winless Coburg Lions in the 150th edition of the Bell St Cup.
The Blues will be seeking redemption in the match-up following an 102-point loss to Werribee last weekend in a game they would rather ‘put away and never touch again.’
The game marks the club’s first contest against a stand-alone Coburg outfit since 2000 after they ended their 13-year alignment with Richmond at the conclusion of last season.
Remarkably, the storied history between the clubs currently has both sides sitting equal on 73 wins apiece – and 3 draws - from their 149 match-ups.
The two teams have experienced contrasting starts to this year with Northern sitting 6th on three wins and one loss while the struggling Lions are ahead of only Bendigo in 15th position.
However, the Blues will need to be on high-alert against Peter German’s troops, who would love nothing more than to claim the first scalp of their new era against a traditional suburban rival.
Despite four losses to start their new era in stand-alone status, and their closest margin being 42 points against Richmond VFL, their competitiveness has seen them push sides before a lack of experience shone through.
Carlton rookie Patrick Cripps will return to the Blues line-up after gaining some valuable experience against Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs in the AFL.
Jaryd Cachia looks set to join Cripps in the midfield following a stellar 27-disposal performance against Werribee at Chirnside Park last Saturday night.
International rookie Ciaran Byrne may also feature for Northern following some impressive showings up forward in the AFL Victoria Development League.
For the visitors, hard-working half forward Lech Featherstone poses a threat for Northern’s defence, kicking 8 goals from his first four games at Coburg since being signed from Pascoe Vale in the off-season.
Nathan Thomas will also need to be monitored in the midfield after averaging over 23 disposals and five tackles in his three games this season.
Vice-captain Michael Venditti will be carrying some confidence into the game on the back of last weekends 32 disposal best-on-ground performance in their loss to Box Hill.
With the Lion’s yet to get off the mark this season, the Blue’s should get back on the winners column at their spiritual home ground in Preston.
Final side to be confirmed in conjunction with Carlton.
Northern Blues Player Watch
1. Jack Anthony: Announced as one of the clubs marquee signings in the off-season, Jack Anthony has proved his value to the Northern Blues so far in 2014. Anthony has been used by coach Luke Webster at both ends of the ground as a swingman this year, causing headaches for the opposition no matter where he’s situated. Offering great leadership qualities and experience expect Anthony to continue to settle into his role as the season progresses.
22. Sam Cattapan: 2014 is looming as a breakout year for the Aberfeldie ball magnet after notching up his third consecutive VFL game against Werribee last weekend. The match may have also been one of the 175cm midfielder’s best games to date, being named as one of Northern’s best in an otherwise sour day for Blues supporters.
47. Ciaran Sheehan: The Irish product seems to be slowly adapting to the Australian game after making steady improvements in his first four games of VFL football. Luke Webster has Sheehan learning the game across the half back line so far where he is gradually increasing his defensive awareness and ability to find the ball going forward.
Northern Blues side
B McInnes M. Watson Giles
HB Sheehan Anthony Bootsma
C Holman Graham Cripps
HF Docherty Coulson B. Johnson
F Armfield Byrne Wilson
R Wood Bell Cachia
I/C Reynolds Cattapan Emley Temay Wilkinson Tardio*
*Denotes 23rd man
** Final side to be confirmed following the Carlton v Collingwood match
