Round 22 Ins & Outs

The fifth-placed Box Hill Hawks host the fourth-placed Sydney Swans in a final round race to the top four on Saturday.

The Swans sit a win and just 2.9% ahead of the Hawks, with both sides knowing Saturday’s result will go a long way to determining who claims the all-important double chance.

Clint Proctor has recalled six players to his game day squad, including listed-Hawks Jacob Koschitzke, Liam Shiels, Jai Serong and Emerson Jeka.

Koschitzke and Jeka will look to provide excellent coverage in the air at either end, while Serong will likely be deployed between wing and half-forward, acting as a link between defence and attack.

In Liam Shiels, who tallied 27 disposals, 10 tackles and nine clearances in his last outing with Box Hill, Proctor has been able to call on premiership-winning class and experience to complement an in-form on-ball brigade.

Joining that quartet is the VFL-listed pair of David Brinker-Ritchie and the returning Jordan Cunico. The former comes in for the elevated Max Lynch, while the latter is a welcome addition on the eve of finals.

Cunico last donned the brown and gold in the Round 15 loss to Greater Western Sydney. Like Shiels, the former Geelong man will run through the Hawks’ midfield.

The side that proved too strong for Geelong last weekend will be without the aforementioned Max Lynch and Daniel Howe, who have both been rewarded with senior selection, while Jack Saunders and Ned Long have won richly deserved AFL debuts.

Defender Charlie Beasley misses due to the concussion he sustained in a nasty – albeit entirely accidental – incident against the Cats, as does the managed Vincent Adduci.

The final team will be communicated at midday Saturday, 35 minutes prior to the first bounce.

With the senior side in Tasmania for Sunday’s clash against the Bulldogs, Hawks fans are encouraged to get to City Oval to take in Box Hill’s final home game of the year ahead of the 2022 finals series. 

Members gain free entry, while tickets will be available on the gate for any walk-ups. 

Ins: J Koschitzke, L Shiels, J Serong, E Jeka, J Cunico, D Brinker-Ritchie

Outs: D Howe (elevated), M Lynch (elevated), N Long (elevated), J Saunders (elevated), V Adduci (managed), C Beasley (injured)