The Northern Blues will be looking for a return to the winner’s list on Saturday afternoon when they face Collingwood at the Holden Centre from 4pm.
Running into a side which has won its last five games and surged into the top four, the Blues will need a win over the Pies to keep their season alive.
The Blues have named up to 16 AFL-listed players for the clash, while the Pies have named 12 Collingwood players including likes of Jesse White, Alan Toovey and the returning Tim Broomhead.
After a run of three straight wins was halted last weekend against Sandringham, a win against the Pies would be Northern’s biggest scalp of the season and provide the perfect precursor to the AFL match at the MCG that night from a Blues perspective.
Looking to atone for a loss the last time the two sides met, Northern was on the wrong end of a nine-point defeat earlier in the year as Collingwood held firm in Round 4 to triumph in a thriller.
The Pies have been in brilliant form since then, winning six of their past seven games, including their last five consecutively.
Their defensive form has been a feature after some fragility in early rounds, averaging just 54 points against in their unbeaten run.
Collingwood has been the form side of the competition since Round 5, being the only undefeated side, having the best defensive record and the second best percentage in that time.
Without Jack Silvagni, who was named for his AFL debut, the Blues will have to find an avenue to goal without the youngster who has kicked 13 goals in four VFL matches.
Quiet against the Zebras, focal points Kristian Jaksch and Liam Jones will need to put in big games against the likes of Jack Frost and Jonathan Marsh if the Blues are to come away with a win.
The tandem of Jaksch and Jones will be supported by the inclusion of Harry McKay, who has been named for his VFL debut after making a successful return in the Development League.
Well-beaten in the middle last week, the on-ball brigade has received a significant boost with the additions of Jason Tutt and Mark Whiley, as well as the return from injury for Blaine Boekhorst.
The Blues will be without Ciaran Sheehan (hamstring) and Jack Silvagni (AFL selection), while injured veteran Kieran McGuinness had 37 disposals in Round 4 against Collingwood.
The Northern Blues' Round 13 team. (Graphic by the Northern Blues)
After a quiet few weeks, Cameron Wood will need to put in a big shift against his former side in the ruck against Jarrod Witts: Wood’s best performance for the season came in the earlier loss to the Pies.
The two sides have offered some close matches in recent seasons, with three games being decided by 18 points or less since 2013.
Taking place prior to the match at the MCG, the Round 13 VFL clash will be free entry for all supporters, with the bounce to come at 4pm from the Holden Centre.
In further positive news for Carlton fans, youngster Charlie Curnow will make his return from illness and injury on Sunday when the Development Blues take on Box Hill.
The Development game commences at 11am on Sunday, with the match to take place at Box Hill City Oval.
MATCH DETAILS
VFL Round 13
Collingwood VFL vs. Northern Blues
Holden Centre
Saturday, July 2 - 4pm
Entry is FREE
Players to watch
Tom Wilson: The Northern Blues captain continued his return to form and fitness last weekend with a strong showing against Sandringham, but he’ll need to be at his best if the Blues are to come away with a win. Wilson was at his absolute best the last time the sides met, collecting 24 disposals, kicking two goals and laying seven tackles as he willed his side back into the game despite Collingwood emerging victorious.
Blaine Boekhorst: Back for his first game in over a month after suffering a fractured wrist, Boekhorst will provide vital run-and-carry to a Northern midfield brigade which has a big task ahead on Saturday. After being comprehensively beaten in the uncontested possession stakes against the Zebras, Boekhorst will play a big role between the arcs to supply the Blues’ talls when they come up against the best defensive side in the competition.
Dylan Buckley: Following a two-week suspension, Buckley has returned to the VFL in the past two matches and has kicked four goals, rotating between a number of roles. Named off half-back for the game with the Pies, Buckley - who had 20 disposals and kicked two goals in last week’s loss - has been named an emergency for the AFL game and, provided he plays, could push his case for a senior recall with a good showing.
