The Northern Blues have gone down to Collingwood’s VFL side by nine points in a thriller at Preston City Oval on Saturday.

The Blues were down by as much as 41 points but wrestled back the margin to be within two goals late in the last quarter, but eventually went down 13. 13. (91) to 14. 16. (100).

Northern struggled to cope with kicking against the breeze in the first term as the Magpies dominated the contest early on.

The Blues’ back half was under all sorts of duress in the first term, with the inside-50 count reaching 22-2 in favour of the Magpies as the Blues trailed by 27 points heading into quarter-time.

A combination of inaccuracy and an inability to manipulate the breeze meant the Blues were unable to bridge the gap in the second term.

Northern notched up eight scoring shots but were only able to convert two of those into majors, as Collingwood extended its lead to 34 points at the main change.

The Blues gave themselves a sniff early on in the third term with Tim Jones kicking his first for the half, before the first of two captain’s goals for Tom Wilson saw the Blues get within five goals.

Northern continued to press aggressively going forward, but their efforts were to no avail on the scoreboard as both teams kicked three apiece in the third quarter. 

The Blues’ pressure did not die off in the last term with two early goals to Daniel Gorringe and Andrew Gallucci sparking a revival.

Northern whittled away a six-goal deficit to get within only nine points of the Magpies deep into the last term.

However, the Pies were able to stave off a gallant Northern to take home the four points, with the Blues playing one short on the bench after quarter-time when Michael Jamison went off with concussion.

Andrejs Everitt led all position-getters on the ground, accumulating 27 disposals to go with a game-high seven inside-50s.

He was duly accompanied by Blues skipper Wilson who had 25 disposals and two goals from the heart of midfield, and Hisham Kerbatieh (24 disposals and six inside-50s) who thrusted the Blues forward at all costs in the last term. 

Ben Casley battled all day, providing a focal point up front for the Blues, as he and former Williamstown teammate Gallucci combined for four goals.

Speaking post-match, Gallucci said the Blues were heartened by the fightback but ultimately came to rue a lack of scoreboard pressure in the second quarter.

“We started really poorly in the first quarters, we endured in the second half and played some really good footy but it’s really disappointing to start poorly again,” Gallucci said.

“I think in the second quarter we thought the wind would do the work for us and we didn’t play smartly: that start again I think cost us the win.

“You’re always confident you can win and we never give up. I think the fans can see we never relent and the spirit is really good.”

The Blues will look to return to the winner’s list next week on Mother’s Day, travelling to Casey Fields to face the Scorpions at 2pm on Sunday.