Northern Blues coach Luke Webster says his team has improved this season, but he concedes it's disappointing to miss out on the finals. 

The Northern Blues finished ninth on the VFL ladder, after a five goal loss to Williamstown last weekend. 

It has left the Blues with a tally of eight wins and 10 losses for the season. 

Webster says while Williamstown showed they were in red hot form, a number of Blues players kept the team in the hunt. 

"Jeremy Laidler, we started him back and then we threw him forward, and he gave us a contest there," Webster said. 

"The same with Sam Rowe – he battled hard all day against one or two opponent at times. 

"Rhys O'Keeffe was the same – he battled hard through the midfield and on the wing. I thought Frazer Dale was really good for us again too."

Meanwhile better news for the Northern Blues development side, which is through to the finals.

They take on Casey in an elimination final at North Port Oval on Sunday.