Blues regain eighth spot after convincing win over Coburg.

The Northern Blues responded to the challenge of regaining their spot in the top eight with a convincing 58-point win over Coburg in round fifteen of the Peter Jackson VFL season at Preston City Oval. The Blues orchestrated their win in the second quarter when they piled on six un-answered goals as the Tigers could find no answer to the home-side's slick ball movement and ability to find a target going forward.

The win sees the Blues reclaim eighth position from North Ballarat in a ding-dong tussle for a spot in the finals with just five rounds remaining. In cool but fine conditions both sides found the going tough early. Coburg matched the Blues intensity at the ball and they kicked two of the first three goals through small forwards, skipper Nick Carnell and Nick Maric. At quarter-time they trailed the Blues by just two points.

The breeze lifted in the second quarter favouring the city end to which the Blues were kicking.   It was a scrappy affair until near the ten minute mark when Blue's bigman, Levi Casboult, thumped one through from outside fifty.

The goal seemed to spark the Blues into gear as they completely took over. Casboult goaled again from outside fifty and the skilful Tom Bell chimed in with a couple to help the Blues to a 40-point lead at half-time.

The Tigers outscored the Blues in the third quarter kicking four goals to three, including a goal-of-the-day candidate from Richmond AFL small forward Robin Nahas who snapped truly from well out after breaking a tackle. Injuries were beginning to mount up for Coburg as Aaron Edwards hobbled to the bench with a shin injury. They had lost Brett O'Hanlon and Ben Griffiths to conclusion earlier in the day.

The Blues went to the three-quarter-time huddle with a 32-point lead and Coburg coach Tim Clarke was calling for his players to take the game on. However, the final quarter saw the Blues continue on their way as Tyson Thomas snared two in another six goal term. Robbie Warnock was instrumental in the ruck giving the Blue's on-ballers first use.

They ran away in the end winning 17.16.118.to Coburg's 9.6.60. Major goals scorers for the Blues were Casboult and Thomas each with a game-high three goals, Bell and Kane Lambert two apiece, whilst Coburg had nine individual goalkickers.

Bell (32 disposals), Nick Graham (32), Lambert (32) and Casboult were some of the Blue's better players whilst for Coburg Matt McDonough, Nahas, David Astbury and Ozgur Uysal never stopped trying. The Blues travel to Frankston to take on the Dolphins in round sixteen while Coburg is at home to another finals aspirant in North Ballarat.