The Northern Blues have made five inclusions to their 27-man squad ahead of their Round 16 VFL clash with Footscray.

Northern will head to Ikon Park on Sunday with what looks to be a similar line-up to the one which triumphed over North Ballarat last weekend.

Zach Ballard, Ashlin Brown, Kristian Jaksch, Jed Lamb and Jason Tutt have been named in the squad, which will be reduced to 23 on the day of the game.

Blaine Boekhorst is the only exclusion from the squad after receiving his AFL call-up following his 30 disposal, three-goal performance against the Roosters.

Liam Jones and Harry McKay will again provide the focal points up forward, supported by the likes of Daniel Gorringe and Lamb who is in line to make his VFL debut.

After playing his first AFL game of the season last weekend, Jaksch has been named at centre-half-back but could yet prove to be a target in attack.

Meanwhile, Ballard, Brown and Tutt will play their first games in a fortnight for a variety of reasons, with the latter named to start on a wing after being the carry-over emergency for Carlton last weekend.

Tutt is back for a game against the side which he won a VFL premiership with in 2014, alongside Liam Jones. 

It’s a largely settled back six for the Blues, with Jayden Foster and Jesse Glass-McCasker holding the fort down back with the support of Bill Gowers, Matthew Dick and potentially Bailey Jordan.

Kye Declase has retained his place as 23rd man for the second consecutive week.

The 27-man squad sees a healthy Carlton-listed contingent of 17 AFL-listed players, including youngsters David Cuningham and Harry McKay for the second straight week.


The Northern Blues' extended squad for the clash against Footscray. (Graphic by the Northern Blues)

Cameron Wood will play his 99th VFL senior game against the AFL experience of Will Minson with Ayce Cordy in support.

The in-form Mark Whiley and Tom Wilson will have their work cut out for them against Jed Adcock and Mitch Honeychurch.

Sunday’s contest will see the Blues looking for their second consecutive win, with the match at Ikon Park to take place from 2pm. Entry is free for both Carlton and/or Northern Blues members.