Preview: City Oval Set For Lions
Box Hill return to City Oval for the first time since the round two victory over North Melbourne on Saturday morning, hosting the Brisbane Lions at 11:05am.
Following which our VFLW side will welcome the Western Bulldogs.
Who: Brisbane Lions
Where: Box Hill City Oval
When: Saturday, 11:05am
TV/Streaming: Live stream available via the VFL Match Centre
No Place Like Home…
The Hawks are back on home soil following a 56-day absence! Having played our annual home match at Wonthaggi and lost the round six fixture against Richmond to Frankston for broadcast, it’s great to on deck at City Oval again.
With Hawthorn not in action until 4:30pm, it sets up the perfect double header for all Hawks fans happy to catch the action on Middleborough Road before heading into the MCG.
Double Delight
Not so fast, though… the Box Hill Hawks’ VFLW side take the field from 2:35pm in a hugely significant early-season match-up against the Western Bulldogs.
Its a battle between fifth and sixth – with both sides squared away on 12-points after five matches and just inside the competition’s top six.
A Little Bit of History
Played 2 – Box Hill 1, Gold Coast 1
The Hawks and Lions have faced off just twice in VFL competition and share the spoils one-apiece.
First time around it was the Hawks who won the points thanks to an excellent first half and a match-winning purple patch early in the final term.
Four goals ahead at the long break, Box Hill’s lead was whittled away to just eight points by three quarter time. But three goals in four minutes ensured the home side had done enough to win the day.
The Lions rallied to close to within 13-points deep into time on, only for Fergus Greene to boot a fifth goal on the day to close the door once and for all.
Cal Brown and Harry Morrison were standout contributors on the day, each racking up 30 touches, while Damian Mascitti was sensational on his way to 25 disposals and two goals.
When the teams next met at City Oval it was a completely different story. Brisbane lead 5.4 to 2.7 at half-time but made their move in the third, kicking 4.3 to 0.1 to open up a 41-point advantage with one to play.
Any hope of a comeback was snuffed out when the Lions kicked the opening two goals of the final term – and 6.5 touches 2.2 all told – to record a wire-to-wire 68-point win.
Jarryd Lyons was irrepressible for the visitors as he won 22 touches and kicked 4.3 for the afternoon, while Deven Robertson had 32 disposals and kicked a goal.
Josh Ward and Harry Morrison were among Box Hill’s better players on the day, finishing with 23 and 22 touches respectively; while Chad Wingard kicked two of his side’s four goals for the afternoon.
The Season So Far
Box Hill – played seven, won six, lost one – second on the VFL ladder
Brisbane – played six, won five, lost one – fourth on the VFL ladder
The Hawks responded following a disappointing loss to Richmond in round six to record back-to-back road wins wins over Werribee and Gold Coast in rounds seven and eight.
Their six-and-one record is good enough for second place on the VFL ladder, where they trail the table-topping Giants on percentage.
A point behind the Suns at the 20-minute mark of last weekend’s clash on the Gold Coast, a three-goal five-minute burst saw majors from Jake Arundell, Jasper Scaife and Kye Declase – setting up a 17-point half-time lead.
After the long break it was a case of second verse, same as the first, as the Hawks pulled away on the back of an 11.8 to 0.7 second half.
Max Ramsden was named best afield for his 26-disposal, seven mark, nine clearance and three goal performance; while Sam Butler made the most of his increased midfield minutes to win 31 disposals and seven clearances.
All told seven Hawks booted multiple goals, headlined by Ramsden’s triple, with 12 players in brown and gold winning 20 or more touches.
As for the Lions, they’ve dropped just one of their six matches to date.
They kicked off their 2025 season with a 25-point home win against Port Melbourne, before dropping their next assignment away to Richmond.
A one-point win over Collingwood was followed by a 49-point triumph over Sandringham, a two-point Q Clash victory over the Suns and, most recently, a 27-point win over North Melbourne.
Luke Beecken was awarded the perfect 10 rebel Coaches MVP votes for his 31 disposal, nine mark performance, while Zane Zakostelsky and Deven Robertson were similarly industrious on route to 22 and 20 disposals respectively.
Jake Fazldeen did the damage in front of goal, booting three majors, while Reece Torrent, Will McLachlan and Fergus McFadyen each chimed in with two.
The win at Arden Street saw the Lions hit the bye with a five-and-one record in fourth place on the VFL ladder.
Selection News
The Hawks have made three changes ahead of Saturday’s visit of the Lions, welcoming back Sam Frost, Bailey Macdonald and Calsher Dear.
To accomodate that suite of ins Noah Mraz, Matt Hill and Cal Porter make way.
Mraz misses as a result of being in concussion protocols, while Hill suffered an ankle knock early in the win over the Suns and, although he was able to play through the issue, will require time off to rehab.
Porter, meanwhile, has been managed. In his absence the side will be lead out by Vice-Captain Stu Horner.
One(s) To Watch
Stand-in skipper Stu Horner is as consistent and reliable as they come at the VFL level and will lead the side out in the absence of Cal Porter.
Few players have given themselves so selflessly to the Box Hill Hawks in recent times and Stu epitomises what it is to be a Mustang and a great teammate.
Never one to command too much attention or make things about himself, keep an eye on our no.62 and take note of things which too often go unnoticed.
How To Follow
Match coverage will be provided via our social channels throughout the match, while a radio call will be available via our wonderful community partners at 3WBC 94.1FM.
Where to Watch
You can catch the live stream via the VFL match centre.
