The Northern Blues will be looking to come away from their final 2016 home game with a big result when they host Williamstown at Ikon Park today.

Both sides are coming off consecutive losses, with the reigning premiers looking to consolidate a top-two spot while the Blues can still have a say in the final make-up of the top eight.

The Blues have made a raft of changes from the 23 which lined up against Richmond a fortnight ago prior to last week’s bye, losing six players from the loss to the Tigers.

Thirteen VFL-listed players have been named in the extended squad, as well as Northern Knights captain Mason Blakey who will debut as 23rd man.

Following a stirring win against Footscray at home four weeks ago, the Blues have struggled to contain the opposition’s attacking game.

Werribee and Richmond both registered well over 100 points in Northern’s last two games, as the Blues now ready themselves for one of the most lethal attacks in the competition.

The Seagulls are #2 in the competition for points scored this season, and Saturday’s game will present their last opportunity for a dress rehearsal before finals commence.

There has been nothing separating the sides the last two times they’ve met at Ikon Park, with Williamstown rectifying a four-point loss in 2014 with a one-point win last year.

It’ll be a significant test against the reigning premiers for one of the youngest and inexperienced Blues sides taking to the field this season. 

Northern will again rely on the standout form of Tom Wilson as well as Jason Tutt and Cameron Wood in the middle of the ground – an area where the Blues were comprehensively beaten in Round 6.

There’s an otherwise youthful feel to the Blues, with more than half of the extended squad named aged 21 or under.

It will very much be a case of the young and old doing battle on Saturday afternoon: by contrast, 13 of Williamstown’s starting 18 have more than 50 games under their belt.

The match will see Carlton and/or Northern Blues members entitled to free entry at Ikon Park, with the VFL match commencing at 2pm.

MATCH DETAILS
Round 20 VFL
Northern Blues vs. Williamstown
Ikon Park
Saturday, 20 August – 2pm
Adults $10, Concession $5, Kids under 15 FREE
Carlton and/or Northern Blues members – FREE

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Harry McKay: The Carlton youngster has recovered from a knock he received against Richmond in Round 18 and will play against the Seagulls on Saturday. McKay looks likely to be partnered by Kristian Jaksch up forward, who was swung between attack and defence a fortnight ago. McKay will be looking to find his early goal-scoring form where he kicked five goals from his opening two games in the competition.

Bill Gowers: Gowers has impressed in spurts across half back for the Blues throughout the season, and could be given a bigger role in the clash with the Seagulls. Gowers has averaged just shy of 20 disposals since the sides last met in Round 6: with the Blues coming up against one of the most free-flowing sides in the competition, he’ll need to put in a big shift if his side is to come away with an upset win.

Hisham Kerbatieh: The youngster will be looking for a big final fortnight in what has been a fine first season in blue. Kerbatieh was one of few positives for the side in Round 6, but struggled to have a big impact in the loss to the Tigers in Round 18. With the Blues’ midfield stocks taking a hit through the losses of Jed Lamb and Mark Whiley through injury, Kerbatieh could be find himself spending more time in the clinches against the Seagulls.