VFL Round 2: Box Hill Hawks 11.17.83 defeated by Williamstown 14.9.93:

Bad kicking is bad football and the Box Hill Hawks will be kicking themselves when they review their 10 point loss against last years premiers Williamstown. The Hawks did not fully capitalise on the dominant midfield performance by Lance Picioane and lost despite having five more scoring shots than their opponents.

The Box Hill Hawks made four changes to the side that pushed Port Melbourne for three quarters last week. Hawthorn's Chance Bateman was selected for Box Hill after recovering from his hamstring injury. Hawthorn rookie listed midfielder Paul Shelton was promoted for his first senior VFL game. Experienced AFL pair Adrian Cox and Luke McCabe were welcomed back by Box Hill, a determined McCabe no doubt relishing the challenge to prove that his shoulder could hold up in a match situation.

Hawthorn rookie ruckman Zac Dawson, and Bendigo Pioneers recruit Ben McGlynn were selected in the Box Hill reserves to get more game time. Aggressive back-pocket Michael Osborne and highly promising midfielder Brad Sewell were promoted to the Hawthorn senior team. Congratulations Sewelly on a well deserved AFL debut.

On an unusually calm and mild day at Point Gellibrand, Box Hill, kicked with the slightest of wind advantages got off to a flying start when Kristan Height goaled inside the opening minute. With Cox and McCabe in control of the backline, the Hawks extended their lead out to 16 points before a late rally by the Williamstown Seagulls saw the Box Hill lead reduce to 8 points by quarter time.

The second quarter was all Williamstown. Five unanswered goals to Seagull spearhead Marcus Baldwin was central to the turnaround that saw Williamstown lead by 27 points before a Tim Harvey goal just on half-time cut the margin back to 21 points at the main break.

The second term also saw some sickening injuries. Williamstown's Cameron Cloke was stretchered off after being heavily concussed. Box Hill, already hamstrung by the unavailability of ruckman Simon Taylor after quarter time, was further disadvantaged when tall defender Josh Thurgood suffered a serious knee injury. The Hawthorn rookie will have further tests on his knee this week but a 4 to 6 week spell on the sidelines appears to be the best case scenario for the young Hawk.

Due to lack of talls Box Hill coach Andy Collins was forced to swing the side around at half-time. Captain Clint Alleway was moved from defence to attack to provide a target up forward, and blonde midfielder Steve Bailey was moved onto the rampant, and much taller Baldwin in a surprise move that proved to be a masterstroke. Baldwin only managed one goal in the second half.

With Hawthorn emergency Matthew Ball being preserved on the bench for the Port Adelaide game, Box Hill only had one effective interchange player for the entire second half.

Despite the lack of available players Box Hill more than held their own in the third quarter. Led by the prolific Picioane the Hawks created many scoring opportunities but were let down by some poor finishing. On the other hand 5 straight goals to the Seagulls saw Williamstown extend their lead to 28 points by the final change.

Two early goals to Williamstown in the final quarter extended their lead to 36 points, but the wasteful Hawks eventually took advantage of the seemingly continuous Picioane supply and slammed on 4 quick goals to cut the margin to less than 2 kicks. The wobbly Seagulls were forced to survive some tense moments in the final few minutes but finally held on to win a close one by 10 points.

Unfortunately for Box Hill these stats speak for themselves. After quarter time the Box Hill Hawks kicked 8 goals 14 behinds to the Seagulls 13 goals 2 behinds. Bad kicking is bad football.

Despite the narrow and disappointing loss the Box Hill Hawks could reflect on some positives. The coaching and fitness staff would have been impressed by the gutsy last quarter fightback despite the disadvantage of only having one available interchange player.

Lance Picioane sent a strong message to the Hawthorn selectors with a clear best-on-ground performance. His 39 possessions and 3 goals accurately reflected his dominance.

Injury riddled pair Chance Bateman and Luke McCabe came through the game unscathed. Bateman had an encouraging second half while McCabe was solid in defence all day.

Running players Adrian Cox and Ben Kane also enjoyed a lot of the footy. Cox gathered 30 possessions and Kane consistently put his body on the line and collected 22 touches.

Other notable performances from Hawthorn listed players came from Luke Brennan who played perhaps his best game at VFL level, and rookie Michael Rix who manfully took on the entire rucking duties and gave Box Hill first use of the ball on most occasions.

Of the Box Hill players, Steve Bailey and Kristan Height were solid contributors, Ben Neagle showed improvement from last week, and Chris Wilson did well in the second half.

Vice-Captain Andrew Pugsley had a fine game at half back despite receiving an accidental knock to the head in the third quarter that required stitches.

Next week the Box Hill Hawks seniors enjoy a bye while the reserves tackle Frankston at home on Saturday.

Box Hill Hawks: 3.3 4.6 7.11 11.17.83
Williamstown: 1.7 7.9 12.9 14.9.93

BH Goals: Picioane 3, Harvey 3, Height 2, Bateman, Brennan, Alleway
BH Best: Picioane, Bailey, Cox, McCabe, Kane, Pugsley

Reserves: Box Hill Hawks 6.15.51 defeated by Williamstown 13.12.90:

A fantastic chase and tackle by Gary Sammartino sparked a spirited third quarter fightback by the Box Hill that saw the Hawks draw to within 16 points just before three-quarter time. Unfortunately for Box Hill they could not maintain the momentum in the final term and would have been unhappy to ultimately lose the match by 39 points.

Positives for Box Hill were the fine defensive performances by Mt.Gravatt recruit Sam Rudolph and the 2003 Eastern Rangers captain James O'Grady.

For Hawthorn fans, Steven Greene made a welcome return from injury and gathered 15 possessions in a solid first half performance. Greene was rested after half-time. Hawthorn rookie Zac Dawson played the full game, spending most his time in the ruck before being positioned at full-back for the final quarter.

An update injury on young Box Hill recruit Brendan Rinaldi, who suffered a major knee injury in last weeks reserves match against Port Melbourne. Unfortunately for Brendan the knee injury will force him to miss the rest of the season. Everyone at the Box Hill Hawks wishes Brendan all the best for a complete recovery.

Box Hill Hawks: 1.4 1.7 5.12 6.15.51
Williamstown: 3.2 7.8 9.10 13.12.90

BH Goals: Howat 2, Weinart 2, Jones, Sammartino
BH Best: Rudolph, O'Grady, Jolly, Weinart, Howat, Ross

Next Week:

The Box Hill Hawks Seniors enjoy the bye next week but it is a different story for the Reserves. On Saturday, April 17, the Box Hill Reserves are up against the Frankston Reserves at the Box Hill City Oval. The game starts at 11.10am with several Hawthorn listed players, returning from injury, likely to play.

Match Report by Greg Caulfield.