Troy Menzel’s performance was one of the shining lights on an otherwise disappointing afternoon for the Northern Blues on Saturday.

Featuring for the Blues' VFL side in the curtain raiser at the MCG, the challenge was thrown to Menzel after being dropped from the AFL side.

Despite the Blues going down by 68 points to an ultra-efficient Collingwood, Menzel personally responded in the best possible way, finishing with 20 disposals and a goal.

Spending more time in the midfield than he’s become accustomed to, Menzel - adjudged by his coaches as one of the team’s best - said that the change in role was an enjoyable one.

“I had a bit of a different role [on the weekend] that I’ve generally been used to, playing through the midfield,” Menzel said.

“I really enjoyed it, getting amongst the play a lot more and being around the ball: I really enjoyed the different role that I had.”

Menzel has struggled for both form and fitness in 2015, after announcing himself last year to finish with 26 goals in just his second season.

After spending the majority of his brief time at Carlton in the forward line, increasing his time in the middle is something Menzel said he’s looking forward to.

“I’d love to play through the midfield whether it’s next year or however long down the track,” Menzel said.

“I’d definitely love to push through there and spend a bit more time on the ball.”

Despite Menzel's performance, the Blues were on the receiving end of their fifth consecutive loss.

After sticking with their opponents early, the Blues were ultimately no match for the sixth-placed Collingwood, who proved to have too many contributors on the day.

The effective Pies - who converted at 68 percent in front of goal - would eventually emerge convincing winners, with Menzel saying disposal inefficiency stung the Blues.

“The boys dug in all day and even when the game looked lost at three-quarter time the effort didn’t drop off: it was mainly skill execution which let us down,” Menzel said.

“We didn’t get the result we wanted but the boys showed some good signs in patches, so hopefully we can go away, take those things we did well and put a full four quarters together.”

Menzel said it was those patches of footy which the Blues would take full confidence from, ahead of hosting a red-hot Sandringham on Sunday.

“We beat them earlier in the year and we played some really good footy: we used the ball well and defended well,” Menzel said.

“If we can address those two real key points this week, then we can definitely come out and give it a red-hot crack.”

The Blues will host the Zebras in the final Ikon Park game of the season on Sunday from 2pm, with entry free for all Carlton members.