Round 15 2013 Peter Jackson VFL Preview
Northern Blues vs Coburg Tigers
Preston City Oval
1.10pm, Saturday, July 28
There’s new life and a spring in the step of everyone down at the Northern Blues after an important win over Box Hill last week.
Atrocious conditions laid the foundation for an atypical wet-weather scrap, yet the Blues met the challenge head on, epitomising the four-quarter effort that had been noticeably absent over the past month.
Inclusions of Northern Blues skipper Brent Bransgrove and vice-captain Tyson Thomas strengthened the Blues’ 22, as well as the returns of Rhys O’Keeffe and Josh Bootsma.
The latter of the two plus Mitch Robinson paid their dues well enough to return to the Carlton senior side, while it is expected that their promotions will be covered ably by Jaryd Cachia (omitted from seniors) and Tom Bell, who returns from a broken jaw.
The sad story comes in the form of Simon White who has been ruled out for the rest of the season after scans revealed in fracture in his vertebrae after a heavy clash last weekend.
While the Blues’ will point to a lift in their spirit as the key to last week’s success, their general ability to win the football – leading the possessions in a match for the first time since Round 8 – was crucial.
Arguably the weather suited the Blues’ contested style of play, smashing the Hawks on the inside (136 possessions to 110), yet still managing to have their nose in front on the defensive end, winning the tackle count 60-57.
They meet a Coburg side sitting second-bottom on the ladder with just four wins, but demonstrating the ability to play well above their position on the ladder.
No more was this evident than in a five-point loss to reigning premiers Geelong on their home ground. Sadly it has only been at Holden Montello Oval where the Tigers have been able to show much promise, recording all wins in front of home fans.
Inconsistency has been a word mutual with Coburg this season, with a seeming inability to sustain a full quarter’s concentration.
Yet their direct movement through the midfield did trouble the Blues in their Round 3 clash at Coburg, which saw dangerous forward Aaron Edwards kick seven goals on the hapless Northern defenders.
What the Round 3 clash did show was the Blues’ weakness in defensive cover on transition following a turnover, conceding an alarming 9.5 from turnovers earlier in the year.
While last week’s conditions played into the hands of the Blues, with forecasts of a mild day, Northern may have to address their weakness as they push towards more a secure spot in the top eight.
While it might be eighth versus thirteenth, expect nothing less than a good old-fashioned suburban stoush in part two of the 2013 Battle of Bell Street.
Player Watch:
Nick Graham – It’s hard not to notice the blonde-haired Gippsland boy, particularly when he’s racking up the numbers of last week. Against the Hawks he finished with 33 disposals (19 contested), as well as registered eight clearances and eight tackles in a close to best-on-ground display. Has a happy knack of finding the football on both the inside and outside and demonstrates great poise with football, topped off with some fine execution. Another similar performance last week will put him right into consideration at the Carlton selection committee table.
Marcus Davies – Flown under the radar for those taking an interest in the Northern Blues. Averaging 17.8 disposals a game and finds plenty of ball in dangerous positions through the middle of the ground. The defensive side of his game is still an area of improvement, but has found a solid balance between locking onto an opponent and creating himself as a run-and-carry option. Really forces opposition half-forwards to defend him.
Tom Temay – The Melbourne Grammar boy might just have found his feet at VFL, after a lean couple of months. Had a confidence boosting second half against Box Hill last week, playing the perfect forward foil to the big targets. Seems to have the trust from his teammates when he gets the ball with his use and decision making. Plays his best football when he doesn’t complicate things and the final quarter in particular paid testament to the potential the youngster possesses.
Luke Mitchell – Many were scratching their heads when the other Melbourne Grammar boy was absent from the Northern Blues seniors. He was instead busy leading the Northern Blues Development side to a big win over the ladder leading Box Hill reserves off the back of a four-goal performance. After a lean month with lacklustre confidence, the young power forward found his groove taking three particularly strong grabs on a day not suited for forwards. Coach Luke Webster sent Mitchell back down to find some form, expect the big man to return to the seniors and look to build on a solid platform.
Northern Blues
B Coulson Dirago Joseph
HB A. Gianfagna Davies Duigan
C Dale Cachia O’Keeffe
HF Wilson Laidler Temay
F Menzel Casboult Buckley
R Warnock Graham Lambert
Interchange (from)*: Posar Meese Bransgrove Thomas Lincoln Currie Mitchell T. Bell Marcon
*Final side to be confirmed by Sunday, 10am
Matthew Lodge covers Northern Blues games for Carltonfc.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter: @MatthewSLodge
