The Northern Blues continued their winning ways dismantling cross-town foes Coburg by 58 points at Preston City Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues led all day albeit a five-minute patch during the first quarter, to secure their second win on the trot and level the Bell St Cup match up against the Tigers at 73 wins apiece (including 3 draws) after 149 editions dating back to 1926.
Levi Casboult opened the Blues’ account converting a set shot from 35m that would ultimately symbolise his day.
The big forward pressed his claims for senior selection with three majors from beautiful set shots, his second two coming from greater than 55 metres from goal.
Like his colleague, Nick Graham set up his afternoon in the opening term with 15 first-quarter possessions.
But while the Blues’ physical intent was apparent early, their ball movement let them down as the Coburg defenders swallowed seven marks from Northern Blues inside 50 entries.
Nick Duigan became a prime mover in his new post across half-forward taking four high-quality lead-up marks.
An end-to-end first quarter came to an end, with the Blues having their noses in front by two points at the first change.
A stern message from Coach Luke Webster clearly had an imminent effect on the Blues as they set about constructing a match-affirming six-goal-to-one quarter.
Duigan (13 marks) continued to be brilliant across the half forward line, as a foil to Casboult, while Tom Bell marked his return from a broken jaw with two second-quarter goals.
The big-bodied midfielder looked as if he hadn’t missed a beat, showing no signs of rustiness, accumulating a game-high 33 possessions (21 contested) to partner his two majors.
Only inaccuracy nullified the Blues from being further in front, yet the work rate of the Blues’ midfielders and half backs ensured Coburg would only venture inside their own 50m arc three times for the quarter.
Graham again led the way in the tackle department with eight tackles to accompany an impressive stat line of 33 touches (14 contested), nine clearances, five inside 50s and a third-quarter goal.
The Blues emerged from half time with the authority of a 40-point lead and showed no signs of slowing up when Frazer Dale (26 possessions) slotted an impressive goal on the left.
Coburg would go onto outscore the Blues five goals to three, in the third term, yet the defensive aspect of the Blues – emphasised in their win in the tackle count 53-42 – allowed just seven entries for the Tigers.
A goal to Troy Menzel on stroke of three quarter time ensured the Blues entered the final change with a 32-point lead.
From there on it became party time for the Blues, exemplified by a wonderful goal from Rob Warnock (45 hit outs, 12 possessions), who grabbed the ball out of the ruck and showed the silky class of small forward to snap the goal.
Defensively Aaron Joseph and Marcus Davies were superb on their opponents, while Jeremy Laidler toiled wilfully on Coburg’s tall forwards, despite copping a knock to his ankle in the first quarter.
Coburg’s interchange was severely tested with four injuries to Tigers players seeing them heavily depleted as Northern put together another six-goal quarter in the final term.
It all but secured a big win for the Blues – their second against their suburban rivals in season 2013 – who sit in eighth spot, yet only half a game below fifth-placed Port Melbourne on eight wins.
Post-match Coach Webster told carltonfc.com.au said his side’s sustained pressure was a big key to the win.
“Our pressure was a real key for us. The boys went really well in closing down the way they would like to move the ball and covering their outlets,” Webster said.
“We had issues early with the ball going into our forward line and coming out too easily, but I think we rectified that after quarter time.”
With a number of players coming back from injury layoffs in the past fortnight, Webster said he had been pleased with how they’d returned.
“Guys like Tommy Bell really stepped up coming back from his broken jaw and I was really pleased by our midfielders’ will to defend and their four-quarter pressure.
“Our destiny is in our control, we have to keep winning. If we come to each game with that same attitude and intent, I’m confident of us getting the job done.”
The Northern Blues will travel on a coastal road trip when they come up against the Frankston Dolphins at Frankston Oval next Sunday afternoon.
NORTHERN BLUES 2.3 8.11 11.12 17. 16. (118)
COBURG TIGERS 2.1 3.1 7.4 9. 6. (60)
GOALS: Casboult 3, Thomas 3, Bell 2, Lambert 2, Dale, Duigan, Graham, Wilson, Warnock, Menzel, Marcon
BEST: Lambert, Graham, Duigan, Bell, Bransgrove, Warnock, Davies, Joseph
Matthew Lodge covers Northern Blues games for Carltonfc.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter: @MatthewSLodge
