Completing the Saturday games in Round 1 of the Peter Jackson VFL season, Northern Blues host Williamstown.
The Northern Blues will be keen to join the finals action in 2015 for the first time since 2011, while Williamstown made it to the 2014 Preliminary Final, only to be defeated by the Box Hill Hawks.
We look at each team leading up to Round 1:
Northern Blues
Coach: Luke Webster (3rd year)
Captain: Brent Bransgrove
2014 finish: 11th
2014 best & fairest: Tom Wilson
Last premiership: 1984
Alignment: Carlton
Notable ins: Kieran McGuiness (Norwood), Glenn Strachan (Collingwood), Ty Armitage (Manly), Liam Kinsella (Oakleigh Chargers), Ryan Tester (Northern Knights)
Notable outs: Jack Anthony (Qld), Keenan Posar (Coburg), Braydn Taglieri (Eltham), Tyson Thomas
It was 2011 when the Northern Blues last continued their season past August, and they will join the list of challengers to try and join the finals action this season. The Blues were competitive during the preseason in all games, only dropping one match to Box Hill Hawks. The recruitment of SANFL multiple Norwood premiership player Kieren McGuiness will add the experience the Blues have clearly lacked in recent seasons, along with Glenn Strachan from Collingwood who looks for a regular senior berth.Project player Alex Aurricho will be one to watch as the big American tries to prove himself at state league level. Tyrone Armitage joins from NSW along with a host of former Northern Knights players from the TAC Cup, taking their VFL listed Knights to 18.
Williamstown
Coach: Andy Collins (2nd year)
Captain: Ben Jolley
2014 finish: 4th
2014 best & fairest: Ben Jolley
Last premiership: 2003
Alignment: VFL standalone
Notable ins: Sam Dunnell (St Kilda), Alex Carr (Gippsland Power), Liam McMahon (Western Jets), Billy Myers (Western Jets), Matthew Stocco (Northern Saints), Taylor Hine (North Melbourne), Jake Maher (Bendigo Pioneers), Jacob Chisari (Bendigo Pioneers), Ash Di Ciero (Gippsland Power), Caleb Hislop (Burnie Dockers), Michael Locco (Blackburn)
Notable outs: Ryan Ferguson (retired), Max Hayes (Sandringham), Stephen McCallum (Montmorency), Kirby McConnon (Vermont), Shaun Wyatt (overseas), Ben Davies (Avondale Heights), Kane Lambert (Richmond AFL), Anton Woods (Eltham)
Williamstown has made some handy additions both on and off the field this year. Joining Andy Collins in the coaches box will be Hawthorn premiership player Robert Campbell as well as the key signings of Sam Dunnell from St Kilda and Taylor Hine from North Melbourne. The Seagulls have also added not one but two TAC Cup Morrish Medallists in Alex Carr (Gippsland Power 2014) and Jacob Chisari (Bendigo Pioneers 2013). In its first year returning to standalone status Williamstown made it through to the Preliminary Final, but were unable to overcome the Box Hill Hawks. The strength of the Development League side – back to back premiers – will only benefit the Seagulls, as a number of their 2014 Grand Final side become regular senior players this year. Have lost the midfield hardness of Kane Lambert (Richmond) and Ben Davies (Avondale Heights) but evergreen captain Ben Jolley fronts up again, soon to play game 200.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
Round 18, 2014
Williamstown 1.1, 8.8, 9.10, 14.18 (102)
Northern Blues 4.5, 5.6, 9.8, 9.8 (62)
GOALS
Williamstown :
B. Casley 4, A. Woods 2, W. Wheeler 1, A. Marcon 1, K. Lambert 1, B. Jolley 1, S. Clouston 1, L. Masters 1, S. Tighe 1, S. Hetherington 1
Northern Blues :
B. Johnson 2, P. Cripps 2, S. Bolger 1, S. Cattapan 1, C. Byrne 1, T. Totevski 1, J. Garlett 1
BEST
Williamstown :
W. Wheeler, A. Marcon, A. Woods, B. Casley, S. McCallum, K. Lambert
Northern Blues :
S. Cattapan, J. Anthony, N. Holman, C. Byrne, B. Bransgrove, M. Watson
Last Modified on 16/04/2015 16:04
