Carlton ruckman Andrew Phillips headlines the inclusions into the Bertocchi 23 ahead of the Northern Blues’ Round 9 VFL match with Frankston at Ikon Park on Sunday.
Phillips, who last fronted up in Carlton’s Round 6 win against Essendon, will make his return via the VFL this weekend for his first game in a month.
He’s joined by Carlton teammate Liam Jones and captain Tom Wilson as the big inclusions to the line-up for this weekend’s clash with the Dolphins.
Jones was putting in dominant performances for Northern prior to his AFL recall (eight goals in two games), while Wilson was in similarly sparkling touch for his side before a serious concussion four weeks ago.
Ben Casley, potential debutant Bailey Jordan, Sam Russell and Glenn Strachan also come into the squad via the extended bench: the team will be cut down to 23 prior to the bounce on Sunday.
There will be as many as 16 Carlton-listed players fronting up on Sunday afternoon in what will be Northern’s first of six matches at Ikon Park this VFL season.
First-year recruits David Cuningham, Jesse Glass-McCasker and Jack Silvagni have all been named, with Silvagni to feature up forward alongside Jones and the in-form Kristian Jaksch.
Two players who won’t feature against Frankston are Blaine Boekhorst - who suffered an injury against Coburg - and Dylan Buckley, who is unable for AFL and VFL selection for one more week after being suspended against Williamstown.
The Northern Blues' Round 9 team. (Graphic by the Northern Blues Football Club)
The now-retired Brent Bransgrove comes out of the side which triumphed over Coburg a fortnight ago, while Nick Graham will also miss through AFL selection.
The Blues won’t be lacking for tall timber, with inclusions Jones and Phillips being potentially supported by Casley, Jaksch, Matthew Korcheck, Silvagni and Cameron Wood.
Korcheck - who opened his VFL account against the Lions with his first VFL goal - has also been named on the extended bench, while Ciaran Sheehan will continue his return from injury in a second consecutive match.
Frankston has named former Carlton defender Andrew McInnes in the side as well as two-time best-and-fairest winner Ben Cavarra, who played in last week’s state game for Victoria against South Australia.
The Blues’ match with the Dolphins begins at 2pm on Sunday, with entry free for either Carlton or Northern Blues members.
