Tom Wilson opens up on the loss of Northern Blues, return from injury
Northern Blues captain Tom Wilson should be preparing to make his return from a knee reconstruction. Instead the club champion is coming to terms with the loss of his beloved club.
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Under normal circumstances, Northern Blues captain Tom Wilson would be preparing to make his return from a knee reconstruction.
Instead, the tenacious midfielder is now without a club after the Northern Blues were forced to close their doors.
The financial strain caused by the coronavirus enforced shutdown forced Carlton to withdraw from its VFL alignment, with the Preston-based club unable to continue as a stand-alone team.
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Wilson was devastated by the news but understood the reasons behind the decision.
“To shut up shop the way it did was pretty disappointing but it’s no one’s fault. It’s just the circumstances and the times we’re living through,” Wilson said.
“It’s 10 years of my life at the footy club, it’s been an awesome part of my life.
“We’ll let the dust settle a little bit, make sure everyone gets through this A-OK – which is the main priority – and what footy looks like moving forward we’re not 100 per cent sure yet.”
Since debuting in 2011 for the then Northern Bullants, Wilson has stamped himself as a club great, playing 110 games and winning three best-and-fairests.
Wilson’s 2019 season ended abruptly in the Round 5 win over North Melbourne and no one could have predicted it would be the last time he’d pull on the navy blue.
“If we were playing, I’d dare say I’d be close to returning,” Wilson said.
“It’s a bit bittersweet but I’m grateful that I got to represent the footy club. Through my whole rehab process, the footy club has been unbelievable.
“I’m grateful for the fact I was able to do my rehab and get to the point where I can play, which is one silver lining in an ordinary situation.”
Wilson rated several of the Blues’ VFL players as some of the best talents he’d played alongside and leaves with fond memories.
“A couple stick out in my mind — Jarrod McCorkell, Adam Iacobucci, Andre Gianfagna, Ahmed Saad and Tim Lincoln – there’s been a few,” he said.
“I’ve been fortunate to play with a lot of quality players during my time there and it’s disappointing we won’t get to do it again.
“The Battle of Bell Street (against Coburg) was always a highlight, just because of the history and rivalry between the two clubs.
“Certainly, my first and only final for the club back in 2011 when we beat Bendigo Bombers (was memorable).
“There was a game in 2016 when we went down to Geelong on a Friday night under lights and won by two goals. That sticks out as one of the better games I’ve been a part of.”