The Northern Blues have recorded a comprehensive 75-point victory win against the AFL-AIS Academy squad at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

After an even first quarter, the Blues romped away, running away with a 17. 12. (114) to 6. 3. (39) win.

The Academy burst out of the blocks with two early goals in as many minutes, before the Blues hit back to trail by a solitary point at the opening change.

Northern then began to open the contest up as the lively Andrew Gallucci set up Harry McKay for an early goal to get the Blues going.

From quarter-time, Northern was able to hem the margin back in from their younger opposition, who started well through the likes of Cameron Rayner and Jaidyn Stephenson.

The Blues took control of the game from there, as they piled on the pressure at the contest and the scoreboard to edge ahead by 20 points by half-time.

Gallucci was then able to make his mark on the match, completely taking the game away from the Academy with a three-goal third quarter.


Andrew Gallucci continued his impressive form with a four-goal performance against the AFL-AIS Academy. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)

Taking his tally to four for the game, his match was highlighted by a miraculous gather, pirouette and goal on the run as the Blues ran away the contest. 

There was a healthy spread of goalkickers for the Blues alongside Gallucci, with Kristian Jaksch (three goals), Harry McKay (two goals) and Jesse Glass-McCasker (two goals) putting the score on the board.

Thanks to the work of Andrew Phillips in the ruck, Sam Kerridge (40 disposals) and Cameron Polson (28 disposals, one goal) were the prime movers in the middle for the Blues.

The performance from Carlton youngster Polson saw him acknowledged as best-on-ground post-match.


Carlton youngster Cameron Polson earned best-on-ground honours against the AFL-AIS Academy. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)

The Blues will get their VFL season back underway on Saturday, hosting Williamstown at Preston City Oval in their opening home game of 2017.

AFL-AIS ACADEMY      4.2      5.2      5.3      6. 3. (39)
NORTHERN BLUES      4.1      9.6      13.10      17. 12. (114)

GOALS
Northern Blues: Gallucci 4, Jaksch 3, McKay 2, Glass-McCasker 2, Boekhorst, Kerridge, Phillips, Polson, Sheehan, Smedts