Round 14 2013 Peter Jackson VFL Preview
Essendon v Northern Blues
Box Hill City Oval, Box Hill
1.10pm, Saturday, July 20
ABC TV Game – Broadcast from 1pm for Victorian viewers
The Northern Blues have hit the home straight and standing at a crossroads point in their season when they converge upon Box Hill to take on the high-flying Hawks on Saturday afternoon.
Coach Luke Webster stated that his side has much improvement left in them, and he’ll be sincerely hoping this weekend is the barometer of his side turning their fortunes around.
The Blues face the possibility of losing four on the trot for the first time this season and face a tall order against the fourth-placed Box Hill.
The Blues will look to rectify their nability to stop the opposition from gather uncontested possession and marks, an area they have allowed their opponents to achieve +41 per game in the last five weeks.
However up forward is where some major concerns lie for the Blues, in particular the fact that Luke Mitchell leads their goal kicking with 17 goals from 11 matches.
Outside the wins against Werribee, Bendigo and Frankston (13, 24 and 25 respectively) the Northern Blues have only cracked double figures for marks inside 50, and that was against Sandringham with 17.
Box Hill sit fourth underneath Williamstown only on percentage and have shown their best and worst in 12 rounds this season.
The gap between their best and their worst would be a concern for the Hawks, although they will be comforted by the fact that eight wins demonstrates they’ve been able to perform more often than not.
Bolstered by a Hawthorn star banished from the senior side in Brad Sewell, Box Hill’s evenness is one of their major strength’s with exciting youngsters in Jed Anderson combining with seasoned veterans like Sam Iles.
The former Collingwood and Gold Coast SUNS player has shown he is still a quality player, named in the top three best players six of twelves times this year.
Often he’s been sighted as their go-to player for his disposals efficiency, five times racking 11-plus handball receives. Kane Lambert – who has been playing a run-with role in recent weeks – may be asked to try and nullify Iles’ numbers.
In selection news for the Blues, Mitch Robinson has been pencilled in at ruck rover, while Rhys O’Keeffe returns for his first match for 2013 after being sidelined with foot and ankle injuries.
Forecasts for Saturday afternoon suggest a chance of rain amid cool sunshine. With Box Hill City Oval’s wide flanks, the Blues be hoping to dominate contested possession and not give the Hawks the opportunity to accumulate easy uncontested ball numbers.
Player Watch:
Mitch Robinson – Throughout season 2013, the Northern Blues have had many big-name, Carlton-listed players join their 22 for a weekend and they have another one again this week. The Tasmanian tough-as-nails, inside midfielder may be the inside presence that the Blues have lacked in recent weeks. What Robinson provides as a goal kicker could be crucial as well, given the Blues’ woes for scoring options up forward.
Levi Casboult – The aforementioned issues relating to forward options might be answered as Casboult returns to the Northern Blues. The big forward-cum-ruckman has been excellent in VFL colours; having averaged four marks inside 50s per game in his five matches this year. Efficiency in front of goals will ultimately decide how much of an impact he can have on the match and which Box Hill defender he will attract.
Rhys O’Keeffe – The quietly-spoken South Australian plays his first game since the NAB Cup Round 1 against Greater Western Sydney for the Carlton seniors. O’Keeffe’s feet have been a sad reminder for how his time at the Blues has been. However expect the booming left-footer to be absolutely chomping at the bit in anticipation of making a real impact off the wing for Northern. In an under-manned side last year, kicked 15 goals in the final nine games.
Northern Blues
B Davies Dirago Joseph
HB Bootsma White Duigan
C O’Keeffe Lambert A. Gianfagna
HF Temay Laidler Wilson
F Menzel Casboult Buckley
R Warnock M. Robinson Graham
Interchange (from)*: Marcon Meese Bonaddio Mitchell Thomas F.Dale Coulson Lincoln
*Final side to be confirmed by Saturday, 10am
Matthew Lodge covers Northern Blues games for Carltonfc.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter: @MatthewSLodge
