Elimination Final Preview

WHEN: 6.05pm, Sunday August 28
WHERE: Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
COVERAGE: Stream live via the AFL Live Official App or tune in to listen to 3WBC 94.1FM. 

Box Hill will return to the finals stage this weekend to take on the Suns on the Gold Coast, in an Elimination Final. 

Anytime, anywhere – The mantra Senior Coach, Clint Proctor has instilled in the group this week ahead of the Smithy’s VFL Finals Series, as we prepare for the do or die first round. 

This marks the Suns maiden finals berth in the VFL, and the Hawks are hungry to advance in the finals, so it’s bound to be an intense battle and a game you won’t want to miss. 

Last meetings 

Round 11, 2010: Box Hill 19.16 (130) defeated Gold Coast 11.8 (74) in Queensland. 
Round 12, 2021: Box Hill 15.21 (111) defeated Gold Coast 5.9 (39) at Box Hill City Oval.
Round 10, 2022: Box Hill 17.9 (111) defeated Gold Coast 13.11 (89) at Metricon Stadium. 

It’s been all the Hawks in the only three meetings of these two clubs. But as we know, finals are a different breed of football, so as much as we hope it’s the same outcome tomorrow, it’s anyone’s game. 

How have we been going? 

L, L, W, W, L, W, W, W, W, W, L, L, L, W, W, W, W, L. 

Box Hill’s last game of the home and away season didn’t quite go our way, we were beaten by the Sydney Swans by 57-points at Box Hill City Oval. 

The Hawks and the Swans each won two quarters for the afternoon, but Sydney’s third term was the difference, kicking away with seven goals. 

Hawthorn veteran, Liam Shiels was named best afield. He managed an equal team-high 31 touches, five tackles, five marks, nine clearances, six inside 50s and five rebound 50s. He showed class in traffic and clean hands throughout the clash. 

Brady Grey also finished within the best players, impressing in his lockdown role all afternoon. 

Senior-listed Kyle Hartigan was among the best of the day as well, battling all day out of the backline. He finished with 18 touches, seven marks and six rebound 50s. 

While Ben Cavarra was again strong in attack, kicking four goals from 14 touches, and Cal Porter had another strong day out with 31 touches and an equal-game high 10 clearances. 

How have they been going? 

W, W, L, L, W, L, W, L, W, W, L, L, W, W, W, W, W, W. 

The Gold Coast Suns defeated North Melbourne by five points in Round 22 of the regular season to secure their spot in the 2022 finals series. 

It was a back-and-forth game, with both teams leading throughout the game, but the Suns kept their composure to make it a six-game win streak to end the home and away season. 

Jeremy Sharp was named best on for the Suns; he managed 34 touches for the day. He was joined by Jack Bowes who had 31 disposals for the day, 11 of those came in the first term, he also booted a goal. 

Chris Burgess managed five goals for the game, including the sealer, earning him third best player. To round out their best, Ned Moyle was dominant in the ruck, while James Tsitas kicked the first major of the game and had a solid day. 

Team News 

Five big ins to our side for the Elimination Final, which will add further depth and experience to our group. 

An important inclusion is that of James Parsons, who will add size and extra class to the midfield. This will be his first game back after our Round 17 win over Werribee. 

We also regain a quartet of Hawthorn-listed players, two of which made their debut in the seniors last weekend in Tassie, in Ned Long and Jack Saunders. Daniel Howe is another to re-join the Hawks line up, he’s been impressive for Box Hill in all appearances this year. And last but by no means least, is James Blanck who comes back to Box Hill after being drafted mid-season by Hawthorn. 

The five outs are Sam Butler and Max Walton, as well as Mitchell Sruk, Luis D’Angelo and Liam Coghlan, this trio are the emergencies. 

One to Watch 

James Blanck, the man who perfectly embodies the Box Hill and Hawthorn alignment, having been drafted by the AFL club in the mid-season draft after a steady run with Box Hill. 

Blanck debuted with Hawthorn in Round 15 under Friday night lights and has since played nine games at the level, learning and improving with each clash. 

He was in the line-up last time we took on the Suns in Round 10, but this time around he’ll have more experience and strength to utilise. He’ll be a welcomed into the backline alongside Beasley, Mascitti, De Wit and Horner, and no doubt bolster it, a defence not to be messed with. 

Blanck made his excitement to play VFL finals footy clear and we’re super keen to see him do just that, back in action with Box Hill.