Mark Whiley will make his return from injury via the VFL after being named for the Northern Blues this weekend.
In what promises to be a sentimental clash for Northern in the 152nd instalment of the Battle of Bell, Whiley is one of seven inclusions to the squad to take on the Lions.
Having missed the majority of the last month with a calf injury, the 23-year-old is a welcomed addition to a side which was comprehensively smashed in the midfield battle last week against a vastly superior Williamstown.
Whiley is joined by Nick Graham, Kye Declase, 23rd man Matt Perry, Ciaran Sheehan, Tim Totevski, captain Tom Wilson and Cameron Wood as the ins for this weekend.
Wilson, who missed last week after being stretchered off a fortnight ago against Casey, has been named up forward ahead of a must-win match against the Lions.
The captain returns for the clash which will see his good friend and long-time teammate Brent Bransgrove play his 100th and final game.
Bransgrove - who announced on Wednesday night that his milestone game would be his last - has been named on an extended bench but is confirmed to play at Preston City Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, after making a successful return via the Development League last weekend, Ciaran Sheehan will play his first VFL game since August 2014.
It will also be a debut for the Northern Knights’ Matt Perry, who will play his first game as 23rd man after impressive form in the TAC Cup.
On the back of some superb form in the Development side, Kye Declase may also be in line for his senior debut, having been named on the extended bench.
The Northern squad - to be cut down to 23 on the day of the game - contains 16 AFL-listed players, including an all-Carlton midfield of David Cuningham and inclusions Graham, Whiley and Wood.
Ben Casley, Sam Russell (both through injury) and Sam Peet come out of last week’s side.
Kristian Jaksch is joined by Jack Silvagni as the key forwards for the clash with local rivals Coburg, while Jayden Foster and Jesse Glass-McCasker will lock down the key defensive posts.
The Northern Blues' Round 7 team. (Graphic by the Northern Blues Football Club)
The two Carlton youngsters will have to put in a big shift against Coburg talls Lech Featherstone and Peter McEvoy, who have an impressive record against Northern in recent years.
The Blues’ clash with their traditional rivals commences from 2pm at Preston City Oval on Sunday, where they will farewell Bransgrove - an existing life member and an undisputed legend of the football club.
