The Northern Blues will have to successfully negotiate one of the most difficult tests in VFL football if they are to win their third straight game on the weekend.
The Blues travel to face the high-flying Box Hill at Box Hill City Oval, a place which holds unhappy memories for Northern in recent seasons and has been a fortress for the Hawks.
Wins in their past two matches over Coburg and Frankston will see the Blues full of confidence, with the weekend to provide a significant challenge against the premier side of the competition in the last four years.
The Blues have found a new-found avenue to goal in recent weeks, mustering up consecutive scores over 100 points in the last two matches - a feat which the Hawks haven’t been able to achieve since Round 2.
If Northern is to come away with an upset win, however, it will have to way to prevent the opposition from scoring (#15 for points conceded in 2016), especially given Box Hill statistically has the best defence in the competition.
The Blues’ last win at the venue came in 2013 in a low-scoring, weather-affected scrap, with the forecast on Saturday looking likely to be similar conditions.
Some grunt and pace has been added to the team in the form of Dylan Buckley, who is available again after serving his suspension, as well as Tyler Roos as 23rd man.
An extended Blues squad currently sees 22 Carlton-listed players featuring, which will be reduced once the finalised AFL team is released: however, it is shaping to be the biggest Carlton contingent in the VFL this year.
The likes of Ciaran Sheehan, Tom Wilson and potentially Andrew Phillips could continue their returns from injury setbacks, while Kristian Jaksch could be in line for a swing to defence after being named at centre half-back.
Following the wins of the last two weeks, a win against the Hawks could see the Blues equal on points with eighth place in a mid-table logjam, provided other results go Northern’s way.
The Blues’ last visit to the venue - a gallant 28-point loss early last season - has been sandwiched by big losses, while the Hawks had a comfortable win over Northern in pre-season.
However, only five players who played for the Blues the last time the two sides met have been named in the squad this time around.
It will again be the midfield battle which will prove crucial, with the Blues hoping to atone for a poor showing last week (-41 disposals) despite the comfortable win.
One of a number of dangers in the Hawks outfit will be Kieran Lovell, who led the competition for kicks last week (28) and has shown an ability to hit the scoreboard (five goals against Williamstown).
Hawthorn draftee Blake Hardwick mustered six shots on goal in the Hawks’ win over North Ballarat - their first in a three attempts - while Brendan Whitecross, captain David Mirra and potential inclusion Marc Lock provide the premiership experience.
The match will commence at 2pm, with half-priced entry for Northern Blues members.
MATCH DETAILS
VFL Round 10
Box Hill Hawks vs. Northern Blues
Box Hill City Oval
Saturday, June 11 - 2pm
Adults $10, Concession $5, Kids under 15 FREE
Northern Blues members - half price
Radio - 3WBC (3WBC.org.au)
Players to watch
Mark Whiley: After a best-on-ground performance last weekend, Mark Whiley presents a vital cog in a midfield battle which could prove to be the deciding factor on Saturday afternoon. Whiley collected 31 disposals and 11 clearances and will face similar conditions against Box Hill, with wet weather and a contested slog in the offing. Alongside Tom Wilson, Tim Jones and potentially Nick Graham, Whiley will have to be at his best in driving the Blues forward if Northern is to come away with the four points for the third match in a row.
Zach Ballard: Named on an extended bench for the Northern Blues, it’s been an up-and-down year for the vice-captain who has battled injury and inconsistent performances in his seven senior games. Coming up against a side which he polled perfect votes against in the best-and-fairest last season, Ballard’s physicality at the contest and desire to win the ball at all costs will complement the conditions well.
Clem Smith: One of the five men who last played against Box Hill, Smith played arguably his best game for Northern last season, kicking three goals and providing an outlet up forward. With an improved form-line in recent matches, Josh Fraser challenged Smith to muster a four-quarter performance after showing some signs in patches in the club’s past two wins, and will need to be dangerous forward of centre against a miserly Box Hill defence.
