The Northern Blues have been methodically beaten by 90 points against a classy Box Hill Hawks outfit.
Things turned bleak for the Blues after kicking the first of the match, with Box Hill running rampant to triumph 11. 9. (75) to 26. 9. (165) in perfect conditions at Preston City Oval.
Things were never going to be easy for the Blues, coming into the game on a six-game losing streak and facing the ladder-leading Hawks, who had won three convincingly on the go.
The Blues came in to the game with a season-low of AFL-listed players, with only seven from Carlton in the side.
Further to that, five of those seven had less than 10 AFL games, with Liam Jones and Chris Yarran the only exceptions.
On the other side of the fence, the Hawks boasted a list composed of 14 AFL-listed players. It was simply a case of outclassing and outmuscling the opposition that won them the game.
The Hawks’ scoreboard domination was also evident by having 12 individual goalkickers, six of which were multiple.
James Sicily was the most potent, managing an impressive eight goals from 19 disposals.
No Blues defender could stop him on the day: at one stage in the game, Sicily had equalled the amount of inside-50 marks of the Blues single-handedly.
For the Blues, Brad Walsh accumulated 27 touches, followed closely by Glenn Strachan who amassed 24 disposals off half-back.
Ben Walton led the goalkicking for the Blues with four, while Clem Smith played his best game for the Northern Blues to finish with three goals.
Walsh, who was forced to play a lone hand at times in the middle for the Blues, said the result was “pretty disappointing”.
“We knew it was going to be a massive challenge going in to the contest, we were hoping to take it up to them,” Walsh said.
“It was a nice day out there, and we thought if we used our skills and defended their attack by foot we’d have a chance.
“Obviously they were just too good of an outfit today.”
Walsh, who dominated contested possessions for the day (16 in total), believes that effort is not the issue.
“Skills will be the main thing that needs addressing” Walsh said.
“It’s (skills) going to be a huge focus on that over the pre-season, it’s just a matter of momentum at the moment.
“I think we’ve lost a bit of our skills, the effort’s there, we’re getting our tackles up but if we can hit those targets [better] we’ll be a much better side.”
The Blues will head to Simonds Stadium next weekend to face Geelong, which was comprehensively beaten by the Hawks last week by 50 points.
Walsh said it was the Blues’ intention to come away from the clash against the Cats with the four points, and to finish the season on a high.
“I think at this point it’s just about getting the most out of the year: we’re just going out there with a positive mindset and really just getting the little things right to get a good start to the pre-season next year,” he said.
“We have a really good chance next week. If we can take it up to them and use our uncontested style of footy, while winning clearances and contested possession, I think we’ll stand a massive chance.”
Next week is the Blues’ final game of the season, travelling to face the Cats on Saturday from 11am.
Northern Blues 2.4 4.6 6.8 11.9 (75)
Box Hill Hawks 7.4 15.6 23.8 26.9 (165)
GOALS
NORTHERN BLUES: Walton 4, Smith 3, Cattapan 2, Bolger, Armitage,
BEST
NORTHERN BLUES: Ballard, Walton, Smith, Aurrichio, Walsh, Cattapan
