Seniors: Hawks overcome Coburg to continue dream start

Box Hill has continue its perfects starts to the season, recording a 20-point victory over Coburg at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday to claim the Anzac Cup.

An eight-goal third quarter was the catalyst for the Hawks’ victory, continuing a trend throughout the previous month of establishing match-winning leads in what is known as the ‘premiership’ quarter.

Alex Woodward was phenomenal for Box Hill, collecting 36 disposals (23 contested), seven inside 50’s and eight clearances in a performance that earned him the Gibbs-Lines Medal.

Woodward was joined by the likes of Tom Gordon and Peter McEvoy as match-winners, with the two kicking four and three goals respectively, while Jed Anderson was the Hawks’ other multiple goal-scorer with two.

Speaking after the game, Woodward was proud of his performance but was more bullish about the team’s collective performance.

“It’s a good individual achievement but it’s all about the team today,” Woodward said.

“We were really scrappy early, Coburg are a really good side and were impressive today so it’s a good effort from the whole team and not just me.”

Greeted with torrential rain following a moving Anzac service before the bounce, the Hawks struggles to produce meaningful forward entries despite dominating general play.

Instead, a moment of ill-discipline form Mitch O’Donnell resulted in a 50-metre penalty and an easy goal to get Coburg on the board.

It took goals from McEvoy and Willsmore to earn some reward for Box Hill on the scoreboard, with the goals handing the Hawks a seven-point lead at quart time.

The sun finally broke through during the second quarter though both teams weren’t able to break away from each other.

Goals to Howe, Grimley and Gordon threatened to establish a break between the teams, though goals to Coburg prevented Box Hill from recording consecutive majors with the margin just 11 points at the main break.

With the game in the balance, Box Hill tapped into their undoubted potential in the third quarter, producing an exhilarating 30 minutes of football which returned eight goals, including two each to Anderson, Gordon and McEvoy to establish a 40-point lead.

Despite the margin, Coburg continued to fight the game out, reducing the margin down to 20 points when the final sounded, handing the Hawks another four premiership points and another piece of silverware to add to the trophy cabinet.

Box Hill has the bye next weekend before hosting Werribee at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday 10 May.

 

Box Hill  2.2  5.4  13.6  14.7  (91)

Coburg  1.1  3.5  6.8  10.11  (71)

Goals: Gordon 4, McEvoy 3, Anderson 2, Willsmore, Howe, Grimley, Woodward, Simpkin

Best: Woodward, Anderson, Heatheriey, Mirra, Gordon, Simpkin