Hawks and Giants Set For Crucial Clash
Its all to play for on Sunday morning, with the Hawks out to secure the win which would inch the club ever closer to yet another finals berth in 2024.
Who: GWS Giants
Where: Blacktown International Sports Park
When: Sunday, 11:05am
TV/Streaming: VFL live stream available via the VFL Match Centre.
Box Hill: played 16, won 11, lost 5 – 5th on the ladder
GWS Giants: played 15 won 8, lost 7 – 11th on the ladder
A Little Bit of History
Played 3 – Box Hill 2, GWS Giants 1
The Hawks and Giants will meet for a fourth time in VFL action this Sunday afternoon, with the team in brown and gold leading the head-to-head by two games to one.
It’ll be the third match the two sides have contested in Sydney, but the first to be hosted out of the Blacktown International Sports Park – the two prior meetings in the harbour city had been staged out of GIANTS Stadium.
The first-ever clash between the Giants and Hawks at this level was memorable for the extraordinary weather which lashed the city in the build-up, producing conditions which weren’t conducive to leaving the house – let alone playing football.
The hosts were by far the better side that day, establishing a 32-point quarter time lead and ultimately running out 31-point winners.
The Hawks were able to take the points in the Round 16, 2023 meeting of the sides, assuming control in the second term, consolidating in the third and holding off a late Giants surge to take the points 13.11 to 11.9.
A Lachlan Bramble goal early in the last quarter had seemingly won the day for the brown and gold, but a spirited fightback from the orange team produced four unanswered goals in 10 minutes to put result in the balance.
Brandon Ryan found the timeliest of goals to finally see off the Giants’ threat, securing his side a vital four points in the run to a top four finish.
When the two teams squared off earlier in the year the Hawks kicked the opening eight goals of the contest and were 47-points to the good before the Giants produced their first major.
52-points in front at half time, the Hawks handled a GWS fightback to turn for home with a 44-point advantage, before kicking away with the first three goals of the final term.
The Giants kicked three of their own in reply, before Box Hill booted four more in time on to run away 68-point winners – their biggest win over the year.
Nick Watson starred with four goals from his 18 touches, while Harry Morrison lead all-comers with 31 touches.
Henry Hustwaite impressed with 10 clearances from his 22 disposals, Max Ramsden was impressive with three goals from 14 possessions and the trio of Jaylon Thorpe, Ben Cavarra, Josh Bennetts and Cody Anderson chimed in with two goals apiece.
2023 So Far
The Hawks bounced back from a disappointing showing on the Gold Coast in Round 16 to record back-to-back victories in pursuit of a top four finish.
Following defeat to the Sharks three weeks ago Box Hill have accounted for North Melbourne and Williamstown in successive weeks to move to within half-a-game of third spot – bearing in mind the fourth placed Brisbane have a game in hand – and the all-important double chance.
A victory on Sunday would see the Hawks equal their best winning run of an up-and-down, stop-start season, having previously won three on the trot in rounds 10, 11 and 12.
After dropping the opening game of the 2024 season to the Bulldogs, the Giants recovered to win three on the spin to sit among the competition pacesetters at 3-1 after the first month.
What followed was a torrid run of form between rounds six and 11, whereby the team from Western Sydney dropped five matches in succession to fall to 3-6… only to recover to record a second trio of wins in round 12, 13 and 14.
A loss to Carlton halted their renewed run of momentum, before back-to-back wins against Gold Coast and Casey brought them onto the lip of the wildcard places. They sit a game back of 10th placed Frankston with a game in hand.
Selection News
The Hawks have made two changes to the side which accounted for Williamstown last weekend, re-regaining Chad Wingard from an injury layoff and Finn Maginness following a stint in the senior set-up.
The unlucky Andreas Stefanakis and Kye Agosta are the names to make way for that pair, with the developing duo
One(s) to Watch
Its fantastic to see Chad Wingard back in the mix following a stint on the sidelines, but our one to watch this week is Jasper Scaife.
The mid-season draft pick made his VFL debut against the Giants back in round 11 and has impressed either side of the finger injury which sidelined him for the round 16 loss to Southport and the round 17 win over North Melbourne.
Strong overhead, hard working and a booming kick of the football, the West Australian has turned plenty of heads in the early weeks and months of his time at Waverley Park and will hopefully continue in that vain on Sunday.
How To Follow
Match coverage will be provided via our social channels throughout the day, while a radio call will be available via our wonderful community partners 3WBC 94.1FM.
Where To Watch
You can catch the live stream via the VFL match centre! The VFL live stream is available via the VFL Match Centre.
