VFLW match report: Hawks secure wonderful Wonthaggi win

Box Hill has bounced back from a two-game losing streak with a 7.8 (50) to 2.5 (17) win over the Casey Demons at a packed-out Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.

The Hawks dominated from start to finish, holding the Demons to just two goals for the game.

Maddie Boyd proved her worth on her return as one of the leading disposal-getters while also proving crucial to Box Hill’s forward set-up.

Hawthorn AFLW-listed players Laura Elliott, Sophie Locke, Janet Baird and Emily Everist all had their moments, with Baird the arguable standout of the quartet.

One of the feel-good stories of the game was Hannah Fosbrooke, who kicked not one, but two goals on debut for the Hawks.

The day was not only about celebrating a win, but it was also about celebrating the Hawks’ partnership with the Bass Coast Shire, whose locals turned up in droves to witness history in the making.

Check out how the game unfolded below.

Q1

The Hawks immediately moved the magnets in the first term, sending AFLW defender Laura Elliott to the midfield at the first bounce. Elliott and her fellow AFLW teammates were catalysts in getting the home team going, with Janet Baird laying some impressive tackles and Sophie Locke getting on the scoreboard twice. Locke’s first major came via a sharp snap while her second was from a free kick, making no mistake from the angled set shot. Emerson Woods also burst onto the scene in the first term with a game-high seven disposals and impressive forward pressure. At the end of the first quarter, the Hawks led by five points, with Casey able to pull one back in between Locke’s two majors.

Q2

Box Hill had something to celebrate early in the term, as Hannah Fosbrooke kicked her first goal for the brown and gold in her club debut. With the ball dribbling toward goal, the clever forward used her speed to burn her opponent and soccer it through. Elliott continued her solid start to the game with some important marks and forward entries while Akayla Peterson began to take over the contest with her smarts in the forward line and her run and carry around the ground. Some sustained Box Hill efforts led to a goal on return for Maddie Boyd. Locke kicked to Boyd’s perfect lead and the tall forward of course made no mistake. In addition to the two goals, the Hawks were also able to keep Casey scoreless in the second term, going into half-time with a lead of 20 points.

Q3

The Hawks came out of the main break firing. After a disappointing Boyd miss, her teammates made up for it with two goals in a matter of minutes. First, it was a special snap for Mietta Kendall, who wore shoelaces from the Amber’s White Light charity, which honours the life of one of Kendall’s best friends, Amber Wraith. After that, Fosbrooke kicked her second major of the game in almost identical circumstances to the first one. Then it was Charlotte Hammans who joined the party, running into an open goal to boot her first major for the Hawks. Baird continued to dominate in all areas of the ground with her pressure and elite ball use while Jordan Mifsud began to work her way into the game. Kendall exploded after their snap, creating a mountain of energy in the forward half for Box Hill to capitalise on. At three-quarter-time, the Hawks held a solid 41-point lead.

Q4

The Demons controlled the ball a bit better in the fourth term, forcing the Hawks into their forward half for most of the final stanza. However, it didn’t stop Box Hill’s tackling pressure, with Mifsud leading the way. The two homecoming Graces also featured high up in the tackle count, with both Matser and McRae putting it all on the line in front of their loved ones at Wonthaggi. Casey was able to get a major back to capitalise on its momentum, but the rush came too late as Box Hill ran out 33-point winners.

Goals: Locke 2, Fosbrooke 2, Boyd, Kendall, Hammans

Disposals: Boyd 22, Mifsud 19, Peterson 18