There’ll be two instalments of the Blues against the Cats on Saturday, with the Northern Blues to host Geelong at Ikon Park.

The Round 15 VFL games commences at 1pm, with both teams out to reverse a barren run of form and keep their finals aspirations alive.

Northern enters the game in 10th position after six games without a victory, while Geelong is a game behind in 12th on the VFL ladder.

Following disappointing performances against Essendon and North Ballarat, adhering to detail will be key for the Blues if they’re to return to winning ways.

They welcome back Blaine Boekhorst, Nick Graham and Tom Wilson into the starting midfield: three players who have well and truly shown their worth at the level in 2017.

The trio have combined for an average of 80 disposals between them per game, and provide the Blues with a much-needed boost in the engine room.

Offensively, the Blues have struggled to pile on a score in recent weeks, after scoring over 100 points in five of their opening eight games.

In a time where complete performances have been hard to come by, Cameron O’Shea and Luke Russell continued their standout form again last weekend despite the disappointing result against the Roosters.

The pair have frequently been among the Blues’ best players so far this season, and they’ll need to put in similar shifts along with veteran Dennis Armfield, who has hit form in the past fortnight. 

Overall, a team performance will be the main item on the agenda for the Blues, given it was that collective effort which held them in such good stead earlier in the season.

It’ll be the second time that Northern plays at Ikon Park in 2017, and the first of two consecutive weeks where they’ll play at the venue.

The game is part of a double header with the VFL Women’s competition: the Darebin Falcons will take on Geelong’s VFL side from 10am.

With the game to be played at Ikon Park, Carlton Football Club members — as well as Northern Blues members — are entitled to free entry.

MATCH DETAILS
Round 15 VFL
Northern Blues vs. Geelong VFL
Ikon Park
Saturday, 29 July — 1pm
Entry — Adults $10, Concession $5, Children under-15 enter free
Carlton Football Club and/or Northern Blues Football Club members — Free entry

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jarrod Pickett: Once again, Northern will rely on a collection of buzzing small forwards and midfielders rotating through to make the difference on the scoreboard. Individually, Pickett has had some quality moments in recent weeks, but has been challenged by senior coach Josh Fraser to string it together for longer. Pickett’s best game for the year came at Ikon Park six weeks ago, and will be looking for similar output against the Cats.

Billie Smedts: Against his former team, Smedts enters Saturday’s game in good VFL form after being one of Northern’s best afield in Ballarat last weekend. The utility has been a consistent presence for the VFL Blues in 2017, only dropping below 20 disposals on one occasion this year. With some handy inclusions around him, Smedts could get off the chain and provide some valuable run and carry if the Blues are to get over the line.

Tom Wilson: The captain is back in action after being a late withdrawal through illness in Ballarat. The heart and soul of the club, Wilson’s inclusion will provide a big boost for the Blues who struggled to get their game going last week. A big collective performance in the middle of the ground will be vital for Northern, and had been a feature in their early season form.