Carlton American rookie Matthew Korcheck was one of the heroes as the Northern Blues produced a gutsy six-point win over Footscray in the VFL yesterday. 

Korcheck took a contested mark and slotted the set shot to give the Blues a two-goal lead late in the game, giving Northern a vital win in the context of their season. 

The mark and goal was Korcheck’s first disposal of the game, and just the second goal in his short VFL career.  

Korcheck said it was a “great feeling” to kick what ultimately proved to be the decisive goal on the day. 

“Obviously coming into my first season of playing footy, kicking has been a pretty big thing to work on,” Korcheck said.

“It felt really good, to take the mark, have the shot and make it.” 

Korcheck credited the support and faith of his teammates prior to kicking a goal which could potentially keep Northern’s season alive. 

“It started with my teammates. Normally I look around for the handball but everybody backed me in, so I decided to take the shot and I’m glad I did,” Korcheck said. 

Coming up against a side which has had two come-from-behind wins in the last fortnight, the Blues were put to the test in the final term against the Dogs.

The American made his VFL debut against Footscray in Round 1, which saw the Dogs triumph by 49 points. 

He believed the playing group’s growing sense of unity and a shift in its willingness to compete has been behind the improvement since the start of the season.

“The all-round intensity of our team has taken a big step. We’ve had a real focus on being brutal and making every game count,” Korcheck said.

“I had full faith in our team and we had full faith in each other that we’d continue to stay strong and grind it out against a quality team.” 


Matt Korcheck celebrates his sealer. (Photo: Tim Murdoch)

This weekend, the Blues will take to the field against Werribee from Avalon Airport Oval, which will be broadcast on Channel 7’s VFL coverage. 

The game will also mark Cameron Wood’s 100th VFL game pending selection, with Korcheck saving a special mention for his ruck partner. 

“I’ve been working with him very closely all year and he’s taught me a lot about the game in general and he’s a great guy to be around,” Korcheck said. 

“I’m real happy for him, he’s had a good, solid career and hopefully we can get the win for him.”