THE Northern Blues have returned to the winners list against local rival Coburg at Preston City Oval on Saturday.

In a game of momentum shifts, the Blues emerged victorious with a 15.6 (96) to 12.8 (80) in a gripping 155th instalment of  the Battle of Bell Street.

The game marked the second VFL trial match of a longer goal square and 6-6-6 zone at centre bounces.

Northern welcomed backed a host of players from injury including captain Tom Wilson, who was one of a number of Blues who shone from the outset.

After a slow start to the contest, Aaron Mullett lit up the first quarter with two swings of his left boots, helping Northern to a three-goal buffer at quarter-time.

That trend continued in the second term, with Mullett again kick-starting the Blues into gear by nailing his third major from long-range.

Northern then shot away to six-goal lead halfway through the quarter, thanks to Levi Casboult’s and Wilson’s first majors of the day.

Even though it was all way one-way traffic for the majority of the term in favour of the home side, Coburg fought back valiantly to put the Blues on the back foot.

Three unanswered goals to the Lions late in the term slashed the Blues' lead in half, with Northern against the momentum heading into the main break.

Much like the second term, the Blues gained the ascendancy early after into the second half.

Jesse Glass McCasker’s move forward paid dividends: he slotted through two important majors to help Northern reach a game-high 41-point lead.

To Coburg’s credit, another late surge bridged the margin back to four goals, setting the game up for a grandstand finish.

The Lions served it up to Northern, getting within nine points after a double through Marcus Lentini.

However, Patrick Kerr calmed the nerves of the Preston faithful, with a set-shot from close range sealing the deal.

The Blues would hold on for a tense 16-point win — their fifth victory of the season.

Sam Fisher continued his sparkling form in midfield: the young bull finished with 30 possessions, 14 clearances and two goals in a best-on-ground performance.

He was well-supporter by captain Wilson, who would finish with 31 disposals and two goals, while Mullett finished the day with 23 disposals to go with his three goals.

The ruck duel was won by Casboult (11 disposals, 39 hitouts) and Tom De Koning (11 disposals, four clearances), who rotated their time between forward and ruck.

Northern returns to Preston City Oval for its Round 20 clash against Sandringham next week with the first bounce set for 2pm on Saturday. It will be the Blues’ final home game for the season.