Northern Blues call off practice match against North Heidelberg

Carlton’s VFL affiliate was forced to call off a game against Brent Harvey’s North Heidelberg that was getting out of control after a series of dangerous incidents.

Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser. Picture: Hamish Blair

Carlton’s VFL affiliate was forced to call off a game against Brent Harvey’s North Heidelberg on Friday night due to safety fears.

The Northern Blues were hosting the Harvey-coached Northern Football League side in a practice match at Ikon Park.

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But after a series of dangerous incidents — including one dumping tackle and a handful of aggressive acts — the match was halted at halftime.

The Northern Blues were unhappy with the level of aggression, with North Heidelberg believing it was instigated by an early tackle that saw their player concussed.

Carlton VFL coach Josh Fraser told the Herald Sun the umpires, Harvey and himself all agreed the game was getting out of control.

The game had been played in the right spirit for a pre-season hitout last year but quickly escalated as North Heidelberg tried to exert their physical dominance against a young Northern Blues side.

Northern Blues coach Josh Fraser said the game “got pretty willing”. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It got pretty willing and we didn’t want to put the players at risk,” Fraser said.

“Boomer and I came together and we had seen enough. It was getting more willing than we had anticipated and we pulled it.”

Harvey, who wasn’t playing, was only appointed coach of North Heidelberg in the first week of February.

He had enjoyed a successful return as a player after retiring from North Melbourne as the AFL’s games record holder.

No Carlton-listed players were taking part in the clash for the Northern Blues at Ikon Park.