Seniors: Hawks triumph over old foe
Box Hill has rebounded from their first defeat of the season with a enthralling 23-point triumph over Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Despite having the majority of the play, the Hawks were made to fight all the way as Essendon continued to hang around all day.
Captain David Mirra was a standout in defence, marshalling the troops as Essendon continued to burst forward in phases throughout the afternoon while Woodward’s and Miles’ work through the midfield allowed the likes of Anderson and Grimley to have plenty of opportunities up forward, kicking four and three goals respectively.
Greeted to perfect conditions on a sunny Autumn afternoon, the Hawks looked switched on from the get-go, despite conceding the opening goal, with Grimley and Willsmore kicking two within quick succession before O’Brien and O’Rourke kicked late goals to claim an eight-point lead at the first change.
Despite Essendon kicking the first goal of the second quarter as well, the Hawks carried on with the momentum the gained at the end of the first, with goals to Crocker and Anderson coupled multiple behinds from the team helped open up a 17-point lead late into the quarter.
The lead couldn’t be maintained however, as Essendon went on to score the next four goals including three in three minutes to round off the quarter, leaving Box Hill trailing by eight points at half time.
Whatever Senior Coach Marco Bello told the players during the main break seemed to pay dividends as the Hawks, courtesy of Cadeyn Williams, got off to the dream start in the third quarter, with a goal in the opening minutes stamping Box Hill’s intent for the upcoming half.
From there, the game really opened up, as the Hawks went on to kick six third-quarter goals to Essendon’s four to take a slender three-point lead into the last quarter.
With four points on the line and the chance to inflict a defeat on an old brown-and-gold foe, the Hawks put their foot down right from the start of the final quarter, kicking four goals to Essendon’s one in the first 12 minutes to open up a 22-point lead.
Despite Essendon producing a late charge in red time, the Hawks held on to claim victory with a goal after the siren to Sicily capping off a terrific 23-point win to keep the Hawks in the Peter Jackson VFL top four.
Box Hill will next play Sandringham next Sunday, 24 March at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Essendon 3.2 8.3 12.6 14.11 (95)
Box Hill Hawks 4.4 6.7 12.9 18.10 (118)
Goals: Anderson 4, Grimley 3, Lock 2, Willsmore, O’Brien, O’Rourke, Williams, Crocker, O’Donnell, Woodward, McEvoy, Sicily
Bests: Mirra, Woodward, Miles, Collins, Anderson, O’Donnell