Two Carlton youngsters headline the inclusions to the Bertocchi 23 for the Northern Blues’ clash with Collingwood on Saturday.

Blaine Boekhorst will make his return on Saturday, while Harry McKay will make his VFL debut after making a successful return last week.

It will be Boekhorst’s first game since Round 7, where he suffered a fractured wrist in the win against Coburg. 

Charlie Curnow will also return to action this weekend, being named in the Development team to take on Box Hill.

The two inclusions are joined in the squad by Ben Casley, potential debutant Bailey Jordan, Jason Tutt - who played in Carlton’s loss to the Giants last weekend - and Mark Whiley. 

A hamstring injury will see Ciaran Sheehan miss the rest of the season, while Jack Silvagni comes out of the VFL side for his impending AFL debut. 

As always, the 27-man squad will be cut down to 23 prior to the match’s commencement on Saturday. 

The additions of Tutt and Whiley add a significant amount to Northern’s on-ball brigade in what is looming to be a pivotal midfield battle, alongside the likes of Nick Graham, Tim Jones and Tom Wilson. 

After making his debut last weekend in the loss to Sandringham, Cameron Barrett retains his spot as 23rd man.


The Northern Blues' Round 13 team. (Graphic by the Northern Blues)

The Pies have named Jesse White in their VFL team, along with regular AFL contributors Brent Macaffer, Jarrod Witts and Alan Toovey in a strong side for Saturday.

Northern heads to the Holden Centre with the game to commence at 4pm, acting as a curtain raiser for the AFL game at the MCG later that night.

The changes will see up to 16 Carlton-listed players take to the field in a match where the Blues will be looking to make amends for a nine-point loss against Collingwood in Round 4. 

The VFL match will see all supporters entitled to free entry, in a game which the Blues will aim to return to the winner’s list and set the tone for the AFL game across the road.

Curnow will make his return in the Development League match on Sunday morning, which will take place at Box Hill City Oval from 11am. 

Northern Blues development squad:

B: McCabe, Jordan, Aujla

HB: Strachan, Cripps, Declase

C: Roos, T. Jones, Brown

HF: Curnow, Bolger, Iermano

F: Collins, Casley, Smith

R: Peet, Ballard, Stevens

I/C from: Adams, Aurrichio, Corboy, Cyster, Dawson, Hawkes, Jacques, Krithararis, Lamanna, Malual, Payne, Vesnaver