The Northern Blues’ perfect start to season 2013 has been spoiled by last season’s grand finalists Port Melbourne, falling to a 16-point loss at Preston City Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In front of a sizeable crowd at the Blues’ spiritual home, Port Melbourne silenced the home supporters with a six-goal opening quarter to gain the early ascendancy.
Tom Bell was the standout of the opening quarter and set the tone for the rest of his match, kicking the only two goals of the first term for the Blues.
Yet the tide turned from the moment Dylan Buckley snapped an opportunistic goal from a forward stoppage as the Blues went on record five of the next six goals to take a one point lead at half time.
Young forward Troy Menzel (two goals, three behinds) was a lively target up forward both on the lead and when the ball hit the ground, whilst Levi Casboult (one goal) was serviceable both up forward and in the ruck.
The third quarter saw an arm wrestle for the lead Bell continued his good form with his third goal, while Dave Ellard (20 disposals, 10 tackles) and Jaryd Cachia’s (20 disposals, seven tackles) influence in the stoppages lifted.
Luke Mitchell also became a prominent figure up forward for the Blues, yet let himself down in front of goal, finishing with 1.3, while Buckley returned to form after a quiet performance last week to finish with two goals.
Buckley’s third quarter goal had the Blues 11 points ahead at the 19-minute mark of the hird quarter, yet Port Melbourne stormed home to kick six of the last eight goals in an unfashionable final-quarter fadeout from the home side.
On a tough day for the Blues backline, Aaron Joseph stood out among his fellow defenders winning critical one-on-one’s and holding his man to just four possessions.
In his first match of the year, Jarrad Waite provided plenty of warmth to the hearts of Carlton supporters, finishing with six marks, but more importantly getting through the game issue-free.
However it was Bell who was the standout for the Blues, finishing with 23 disposals, nine tackles and three goals. The midfielder told carltonfc.com.au that his teammates were disappointed in being run over in the final term.
“We really had a chance to finish a good side, but missed our opportunities while they took theirs,” Bell said post-match.
“Probably a few of us strayed away from our roles, which is something we normally pride ourselves on.
“I’ve got confidence in our midfield cohort. I reckon it will be just a matter of the whole team regrouping (and getting) ready for next week.”
The Blues surrender top spot upon the VFL Ladder and head down to Sandringham to take on the Zebras at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, next Sunday afternoon.
PORT MELBOURNE 6.4 7.5 13.5 16.11. (107)
NORTHERN BLUES 2.2 7.6 11.10 13.13. (91)
GOALS: Bell 3, Casboult 2, Buckley 2, Menzel 2, Mitchell, Lambert, Thomas, Duigan
BEST: Bell, Ellard, Meese, Marcon, Menzel, Joseph
Follow @MatthewSLodge on Twitter for Northern Blues game day updates.
