Preliminary Final Team Selection
Grant Birchall heads a list of four possible inclusions for Box Hill’s Preliminary Final with Williamstown, with the premiership Hawk in line for his first taste of competitive football in 441 days should he take the field.
Birchall’s inclusion may well hinge of the outcome of Friday night’s senior Semi-Final between Hawthorn and Melbourne, with those at Waverley no doubt keen to see the dashing half-back ply his trade after such a prolonged absence.
Should both teams be successful this weekend Birchall shapes as a brilliant addition to a side contesting an AFL Preliminary Final.
Another whose name is in the mix is ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, named at centre half-forward in Chris Newman’s extended squad.
Ceglar was a dominating presence in his appearances for Box Hill earlier in the season, playing as recently as the round 21 win over Geelong. The big-man slipped seamlessly into the role of ruck/forward following an 18-month layoff with a knee injury, using City Oval as a springboard into the AFL team.
Joining them are two members of Box Hill’s leadership group, Nick Evans and Billy Murphy.
Murphy is the Hawks’ second most prolific goalscorer in season 2018 and his pace and industry across half-forward can always be relied on.
The tricky small was unlucky to miss out on selection for both of the Brown and Gold’s finals thus far, having figured in his side’s final three home and away matches, including a three-goal performance against the ladder-leading Casey in round 20.
Evans was another who saw action in those last three games of the regular season and was unfortunately squeezed out by a handful of returning AFL-listed talent come the Elimination Final victory over Port Melbourne. Like Murphy, he’s one who can be relied upon if called upon, though unlike Murphy his area of expertise is across half-back.
Thus far there have been no omissions to the 23-man that was successful last Sunday.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to skip the queues and pre-book their tickets online. Tickets are available via vfl.com.au/presale.
Ins: G. Birchall, J. Ceglar, N. Evans, B. Murphy
Outs:
Box Hill Hawks vs. Williamstown
Sunday, 2:10pm, North Port Oval
Please note: team to be finalised prior to bounce.
| B | 43. C Jiath | 59. K Brand | 42. T Miles |
| HB | 44. C Glass | 61. T O’Brien | 34. G Birchall |
| C | 50. D Willsmore | 2. A Moore | 52. J O’Rourke |
| HF | 36. D Moore | 57. J Ceglar | 60. K Lovell |
| F | 37. J Ross | 39. M Lewis | 51. B Whitecross |
| R | 56. M Pittonet | 36. J Cousins | 41. O Hanrahan |
| Int | 12. C Jones | 10. W Hams | 13. N Evans |
| 4. M O’Donnell | 7. A Brolic | 3. B Murphy | |
| 14. N Lane | 11. B Kilpatrick | ||
| 23rd | 17. T Maloney |
