Preview: Hawks and Cats Set For MCG Showdown

Who: Geelong
Where: MCG
When: Monday 10 April, 2023
First bounce: 11:45am
Gates: 11:30am (MCC Members via Gate 3, AFL Members via Gate 6, public reserve via Gates 1 & 3)

A Little Bit of History

An oftentimes fierce and fiery rivalry, the Box Hill Hawks currently enjoy a six-game winning streak over the Cats.

It’s a run which dates back to a round four 2017 victory at Kardinia Park and includes a 29-point semi-final triumph in 2018 and last year’s 43-point win at Box Hill City Oval in the penultimate round of the home and away season.

The last meeting was notable for the performances of Fergus Greene (five goals), Damian Mascitti (31 touches, nine marks, six inside 50s) and Cal Porter (29 touches, 10 clearances) which set up a win that just about secured finals football for the Hawks.

2023 So Far

A young Box Hill outfit got their season off to a winning start with a superb in showing in Sydney… but were unable to consolidate the good form and good vibes of round one with a win in round two owing to a fixtured bye.

The Hawks held sway at each of the three breaks, but by never more than a kick. The visitors would ultimately finish the contest the stronger of the two sides, booting five final quarter goals to the Swans’ one to run out 27-point winners. 

Jed Rule booted four majors on debut, while the tall-and-small tandem of Jaylon Thorpe and Tyler Brockman provided five between them.

Cal Porter was the highest rated player on the ground on the back of his 28 disposal, 12 clearance, six tackle game, while the likes of Seamus Mitchell (30 disposals), Cal Brown (30 disposals) and Ned Long (29 disposals) were major ball-winners and contributors on the day.

Down the highway the Cats sit one-and-one following their two outings of 2023. Having beaten Carlton in their opening round fixture the hoops succumbed to a rampant Suns in round two.

Seven goals behind at the half, Geelong couldn’t go with the Suns after the long break and conceded 13 majors to three to go down by 107-points. 

Selection Headaches

As detailed in Saturday’s team selection announcement, a relatively clean bill of health at senior level has left Hawks mentor Zane Littlejohn and his coaches with a number of tough calls at match committee.

Simply, on either side of the Box Hill-Hawthorn alignment there are more players available and in form than there are places in the 23-man squad.

Co-Captain Hugh Beasley was fit and in the frame to play before being ruled out, as was Joel Trudgeon – who instead played for Greensborough on Friday coming off a recent ankle knock.

Jed Rule, Liam Coghlan, Max Hall and Stu Horner were unlucky omissions from the team that accounted for Sydney a fortnight ago, while former captain and club champion Damian Mascitti joins them to form a very capable list of emergencies should any of them be required.

Fact is one will come in for Chad Wingard, who was named in Box Hill’s squad per league rules, but has been confirmed as the senior side’s tactical sub. 

Big Day Out

Adding extra intrigue and excitement to the clash is the venue!

One sleep from a trip to the cathedral of footy… but what are our boys' favourite moments at the 'G? pic.twitter.com/U0u85WuW6Y

— Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) April 9, 2023

The opportunity to play on and experience the ‘G is not lost on the group, the coaches or staff, all of who have been drawn to this match-up since the fixture was confirmed. 

Interestingly, while a small sample size, the Hawks have enjoyed a reasonable recent record at the home of football, accounting for Sandringham in round three of 2022 and drawing with Footscray in 2019.

One to Watch

Ethan Stanley is a player who has quickly adjusted to life at VFL level in his first season of state league footy.

A prominent feature in the Club’s pre-season practice match schedule, Stanley arrived at City Oval as a product of a non-traditional pathway having come through the Frankston YCW program. 

A rangy, hard-running and skilful distributor across the wings and half-back, ‘Milky’  

made his debut in round one, knocking up 12 touches and taking four marks to hold his place in the side as the Hawks’ 23rd man.

How To Follow

Hawks fans can keep up-to-date with all the action via our official social media channels.

Curated match commentary will be provided on Twitter, while further coverage will be available across Instagram and Facebook.  

Where To Watch

All VFL matches can be streamed via the AFL app. Coverage of Sunday’s game starts at 11:45am and can be found in the match hub or via this link.

Further, radio commentary can be found via our community radio partner, 3WBC 94.1FM.