The Northern Blues will require every bit of their renowned competitiveness when they travel to Box Hill City Oval to meet the Hawks on Sunday.

Staring down the barrel of a third-straight loss, the Blues on paper face the most difficult challenge of their 2015 season to date. The Hawks sit third on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder, with a five-point loss to Werribee the only blemish to their record.

Northern will take a largely unchanged line-up into the game from the side that lost to Essendon last Saturday, headlined by Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, who returns following leg soreness.

Manly recruit Tyrone Armitage makes his VFL debut, while Zach Ballard returns as the Blues’ 23rd man.

With Hawks defenders Ryan Schoenmakers and Angus Litherland missing, Blues forward Matthew Watson has a likely opportunity against Box Hill’s second or third-choice defender.

First-round draft pick Blaine Boekhorst will look to build on his best game for Northern last week, while rookie defenders Jayden Foster and Tom Fields will see themselves opposed to Box Hill twin towers Sam Grimley and Tim O’Brien.

For the Hawks, reigning J.J. Liston Trophy winner Alex Woodward has continued his great form into 2015 as has Hawks speedster Jed Anderson, while VFL-listed senior pair Sam Iles and captain David Mirra present themselves as consistent threats.

Box Hill, like its AFL affiliate Hawthorn, will look to employ a direct style of play using speedy ball movement by foot. The Blues were opened up through the corridor last weekend against the Bombers and will look to rectify their team defence.

Already in 2015, the Hawks have established themselves as the second best defensive team in the competition behind Footscray, based on their ability to break down counterattacking play.

Both the Blues and the Hawks share the common trait of being strong at playing frontal half pressure; a case of which team has the capability to enforce it consistently over four quarters will be crucial to the outcome of the contest.

The match will serve as reigning Laurie Hill Trophy winner Tom Wilson’s 50th VFL match.

The match will commence at Box Hill City Oval from 2pm. Blues fans can follow the action on Twitter or tune into a live stream on the VFL website, or tune into 3WBC Radio on 94.1 FM.

The Northern Blues' squad to take on the Box Hill Hawks:

BacksMcGuinnessJakschFields
Half-backsWilkinsonFosterSmith
CentrelineDickWalshWhiley
Half-forwardsBransgroveDiragoEllard
ForwardsJohnsonM. WatsonGowers
FollowersKreuzerBoekhorstHolman
Interchange (from)BolgerWilsonBallard*
 JohnstonArmitageRussell

BOLD = Carlton-listed player
* denotes 23rd man