MATCH PREVIEW: VFL Round 14
WHERE: Box Hill City Oval
WHEN: Sunday, 2pm
COVERAGE: 3WBC Radio – 94.1 FM
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Round 18, 2016: Box Hill Hawks 13.20 (98) defeated Werribee 9.7 (61) at Box Hill City Oval
Round 6, 2016: Werribee 10.10 (70) defeated Box Hill Hawks 9.14 (68) at Avalon Airport Oval
Round 15, 2015: Werribee 9.12 (66) defeated Box Hill Hawks 7.11 (53) at Avalon Airport Oval
Round 4, 2015: Box Hill Hawks 6.15 (51) defeated by Werribee 8.8 (56) at Box Hill City Oval
Round 2, 2014: Box Hill Hawks 12.11 (83) defeated Werribee 7.16 (58) at Box Hill City Oval
FORM
Round 9:
Box Hill BYE
Werribee defeated Northern Blues (A) by 13
Round 10:
Box Hill lost to Casey (H) by 26
Werribee lost to Footscray (A) by 24
Round 11:
Box Hill defeated Northern Blues (A) by 26
Werribee lost to Sandringham (A) by 6
Round 12:
Box Hill lost to Williamstown (H) by 45
Werribee defeated Coburg (A) by 18
Round 13:
Box Hill defeated North Ballarat (H) by 52
Werribee lost to Richmond (H) by 102
SUMMARY
The first-placed Hawks entertain the wandering Werribee Tigers this Sunday afternoon, who continue their 2017 road trip with a visit to Box Hill City Oval.
Whilst both sides have gone two-and-two in their last month, they come into this weekend’s eighth annual BeyondBlue Cup on the back of contrasting performances in their most recent engagements.
Whereas the Hawks atoned for a loss at the hands of Williamstown to comfortably best the Roosters and return to the top of the ladder, Werribee failed to back up a win at Coburg, going down by 17-goals in a battle of Tigers against Richmond.
The loss leaves Werribee in seventh, a game and considerable percentage behind their most recent conquerers in the race for the top four.
In such an even season the consequences of dropping games, especially to finals bound rivals, might prove catastrophic. A loss this week could see the Hawks drop as low as third, whilst the Tigers could fall to tenth should a slew of results go against them.
As for tussles between these two, Werribee’s three most recent wins in this fixture came by total of just twenty points, with Box Hill claiming their two victories by the slightly more comfortable margins of 37 and 25 points.
If history is to prove an omen, lets hope it isn’t a close game.
TALKING POINTS
1. IN AID OF A GREAT CAUSE
The Hawks and Tigers will battle for more than the four points this Sunday.
In partnership with BeyondBlue, both sides will use the match as a vehicle to encourage conversation about and challenge the stigma around mental health. Further, we hope to provide support for those in need, offering information regarding identification and treatment of conditions.
BeyondBlue estimates that as many as three million Australians suffer from mental health related issues, proving that depression and anxiety does not discriminate. It can affect any and everyone – friends, family and co-workers, those you see and interact with every day – and often those you least expect.
importantly, the partnership aims to impress BeyondBlue’s own mantra that “mental health is about wellness rather than illness.”
if you or anyone you know require more information about BeyondBlue, it’s services and mission, please visit: www.beyondblue.org.au, or call 1300 22 46 36.
2. IT’S A LONG YEAR
Box HIll’s young Hawks have been superb this season, encouraging their coaches, the Club and our fans with a spate of sensational performances, both individually and collectively.
But a look at the calendar shows it’s mid-July. The days are getting shorter, the sun a little more shy and the mercury barely reaches the teens.
As the demands of senior football mount so too do the training sessions and the games. These next few weeks – opponents and contests that await aside – represent a terrific challenge for the mental fitness and aptitude of a young group looking to maintain it’s momentum ahead at a tilt at premiership glory.
We’re far enough into the season to appreciate their form isn’t a one-off or a fluke, they’ve done it long enough to prove any naysaying a nonsense, but just far enough away from September for fatigue to be a factor.
We’ve already shown an ability to rise to challenges and respond in game, we’ve shown we can respond following a loss, but the ongoing challenge is to keep fronting up week after week, knowing we’re the prize scalp in this league.
Another win keeps us top. Another win builds belief. Another win galvanises an already tight knit group just that little bit more.
3. THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Dorothy had it right when she clicked her heels together, longing to be taken back to pastures most familiar.
For so long, with win after win coming away from home, Box Hill City Oval lay unused, just waiting for the home side to run down the race at 2pm and back up it at 4:30 four points richer.
But things don’t always go to plan.
Of Box Hill’s twelve matches thus far, five of them have been hosted on the corner of Middleborough and Whitehorse roads. To be sitting top of the table with a 60% winning record at home is a good effort, but surely it’s a number that will climb as the season progress. It has to.
Whilst our home ground has been the scene of some scintillating highs in 2017 (the first quarter against Coburg and the stirring comeback against Richmond), it’s also hosted some frustrating lows (the losses to Williamstown and Casey).
9-2-1 on the season, both losses have been at Box Hill City Oval. Here, now, is when home needs to become a fortress.
We can’t afford another one, let alone on our own deck.
