Northern Blues senior coach Josh Fraser praised the form of Mark Whiley and Jack Silvagni after his side’s 40-point win over Frankston on Sunday. 

Celebrating consecutive victories for the first time under Fraser, the Blues had to grind away in difficult conditions to register their third win of the season. 

The two individual standouts were the pair of Carlton-listed youngsters, who were acknowledged as their side’s best two players post-match by their coaches. 

In his second game back from a calf injury, Whiley registered 31 disposals, 11 clearances and seven tackles in a bullocking performance through the middle. 

Silvagni also gave reason for Blues fans to be excited, collecting 21 disposals and kicking four goals in conditions not typically suited for forwards. 

“I thought it was a collective effort and there were a number of boys who stood up, especially Mark Whiley whose contribution after quarter-time was really significant,” Fraser said post-match.

“Jack was terrific but we pride ourselves on spreading the load as well - he played his role forward for us and he’s an exciting talent.

“I think everyone’s excited by the future he’s going to have at our club and playing senior footy down the track.” 

In addition to the result, Fraser highlighted the return from injury for Carlton ruckman Andrew Phillips as a positive to take from the game. 

Phillips, who was playing his first game in a month after a hamstring injury, had eight disposals and 25 hitouts as he spread his time between ruck and forward with Cameron Wood and Matthew Korcheck. 

“I thought he was pretty good, I thought his contest in the air was really strong and he looked like he’s moving really well,” Fraser said.

“He’s missed a fair chunk of footy so it’s an important first step for him - he’ll look to build from here but it was great to have him back out there.” 

Fraser highlighted a spread of contributors and a strong resolve as the main reasons for the Blues’ triumph, typified by 11 individual goal-kickers and a seven-goal final term.

However, the senior coach said there was a lot of work to be done and room for improvement ahead of a significant test this weekend.  

“We were patchy, the structures were clear but we struggled to execute the way we needed at times: when we did it, we did it well and got results from it,” Fraser said. 

“But it was too inconsistent, and one of our big focuses is being an all-the-time team and not a sometimes team. 

“To the boys’ credit, in the second half and particularly the last quarter we did what we needed to do and came away with a really good win.” 

The Northern Blues’ next match comes on Saturday afternoon at 2pm, when they travel to Box Hill City Oval to face the Box Hill Hawks.