Standout Northern Blues trio Hugh Goddard, Patrick Kerr and Matt Kennedy stuck in VFL despite Carlton struggles

Carlton's VFL affiliate Northern Blues has four wins from five games this year and Hugh Goddard, Patrick Kerr and Matt Kennedy have been key figures. So, why can't they get a game in the Blues struggling senior side? 

When Brendon Bolton became a unanimous choice as Carlton coach in 2016, part of his platform centred on a process he described as “selection integrity”.

In simple English it sees players who are both fit and in-form picked, while those who require a run or two at VFL level must bide their time.

It’s what every coach strives for but circumstances sometimes sees integrity around the selection table challenged, and some would say that has been the case this season.

Surprisingly, given the senior side has won just one game, the Josh Fraser-coached Northern Blues are sitting on four wins from five games and regular watchers suggest there are at least three members of that side extremely unlucky not to have seen senior action in 2019.

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Starting up back, 22-year-old 198cm key defender Hugh Goddard has steadily built on his form since being recruited from St Kilda, but has watched on as forward/ruckman Levi Casboult was preferred in the unfamiliar territory after Liam Jones was concussed.

Goddard received a further kick when promising defender Harrison Macreadie was rushed into the team against GWS despite limited game time, and form, for Northern Blues.

In the midfield, and it’s hardly a field of gold at senior level right now, former GWS on-baller Matthew Kennedy continues to rack up contested numbers in the VFL.

Hugh Goddard hasn't played a game for Carlton since crossing from St Kilda.

With David Cunningham injured last week, Lochie O’Brien was brought in as a like-for-like, despite being dropped two weeks earlier and then missing VFL action due to a bye. Surely Kennedy’s inside grunt would have been more beneficial against the rampant GWS mids.

And up forward Patrick Kerr has played solid football until a breakout six-goal game last Saturday against Frankston, one highlighted by his team play away from goal as much as the bag.

Given the events at Sydney Showgrounds last Sunday, Brendon Bolton’s 2017 words of “our match committee makes sure it holds its integrity on picking people on form” all the more pronounced

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