A spirited but inaccurate Northern Blues outfit have gone down by seven points to the reigning premiers Box Hill in a VFL practice match at Visy Park.

The Hawks got the early jump after they kicked all five goals in the first quarter, before an improved Blues couldn't assert their dominance after the first break.

Boasting 15 Carlton-listed players, the Blues trailed by as much as 31 points in the third term, but four straight goals in the last quarter saw the scores level before a goal on the siren assured the Hawks a seven-point win.

Result aside, there were many positive signs for the Blues including the impressive run of form continued by Nick Graham.

Fresh from being the major ball winner in last week’s win over Footscray, the Gippsland product finished with 30 disposals - 17 of those contested - and five clearances.

Heath Scotland and Dylan Buckley provided both experience and run through defence and midfield, having 33 and 20 disposals respectively.

Scotland was particularly influential in the Blues' late resurgence, having 20 of his disposals after half-time.

Cameron Wood was imposing in the ruck with 53 hit outs and partnered well with Levi Casboult, who spent time in the ruck and up forward.

Their dominance in the ruck (hit outs, 65-34) led to a clearance ascendancy of 37 to 26, with the likes of Graham, Scotland and Jaryd Cachia (30 possessions) benefiting from their ruck work.

Partnered by the likes of livewires Tom Wilson and Tim Totevski, Tom Temay almost single-handedly dragged the Northern Blues to victory with vital final quarter display of eight possessions and two goals.

Down back, Jack Anthony took 13 marks and was constantly thwarting the Hawks' forward thrusts throughout the game.

Speaking post-match to northernbluesfc.com.au, Dylan Buckley credited the team for their fightback, but lamented lost opportunities in front of goal.

"It was a good effort to come back against a quality side like Box Hill and go down by just over a kick. It was a really impressive fightback," Buckley said.

"In the end it was a case of missed opportunities. We kicked 13 behinds: that's 13 chances at goals that in the end proved the difference. Our forwards led well but unfortunately we just couldn't convert."

Buckley has found himself a new role across half back this season – a role in which he has excelled.

"It was a little daunting to begin with but I'm really enjoying it. I've played about four games down there and I'm settling in: hopefully I can consolidate my spot."

The Blues will have a final tune up prior to round one, as they face Sandringham on Friday at 2:30pm at Visy Park

NORTHERN BLUES               0.3       2.6       6.8                   10. 13. (73)
BOX HILL HAWKS                 5.3       5.4       10.7                 12. 8.   (80)

GOALS: Sheehan 2, Temay 2, Cachia, Wood, Wilson, Dorman, White, Casboult