Round 14 Ins & Outs

The skipper, some forward-line firepower, a couple of young guns and a pair of fresh faces comprise the nine changes Clint Proctor has made to the Hawks outfit that secured a memorable last-gasp victory against Port Melbourne two weeks ago.

While a headache for ‘Proc’ and his match committee, the selection squeeze brought on by a number of returning players at AFL and VFL level is a boost for a Box Hill outfit which sits in the top four and is on a five-game winning streak.

Headlining the long list of ins is Hugh Beasley. Box Hill’s captain missed the wins against North Melbourne and the Borough with a knock, but returns to lead both his side and back 50 against the Dogs.

Josh Morris and Stu Horner have also been named following time away from the Box Hill set-up. Horner had been absent from the line-up due to a hamstring strain suffered against Richmond way back in round eight. Fortunately for Horner and his team, his five week lay-off coincided with two byes. 

They’ll be supported by the addition of Messrs Jeka, Hartigan and Callow, a trio of big-bodied senior Hawks who have all been named to play forward. Its a boost for a front 50 that boasts two of the league’s best performed goal kickers in 2022 – Fergus Greene and Ben Cavarra – and shapes as a line-up that will no doubt look to test the Dogs’ rearguard.

Josh Ward is another who returns. The impressive first-year Hawk has tallied seven senior matches in 2022, but hasn’t played at any level since Box Hill’s round eight win against the Tigers. He’s joined in the brown and gold’s midfield mix by Tom Phillips, who has been named on the opposite wing to brother Ed.

Saturday shapes as a special day for the Phillips clan, with Ed set to play VFL game 50.

Good news comes in the form of debuts for talls Max Ramsden and Mason Hawkins.

Ramsden was the Hawks’ first selection, pick 6 overall, in the Mid-Season Draft. Standing 202cm tall, the 19-year-old former Sandringham Dragon will step into the squad and, likely, take the first centre bounce of the day.

He’ll be assisted on the day by Hawkins, an exciting local product who plays for Vermont at Community Clubs level.

The final team will be confirmed at communicated prior to the first bounce on Saturday, which is scheduled for 1:05pm.

Ins: J Callow, J Morris, E Jeka, J Ward, T Phillips, H Beasley, K Hartigan, M Ramsden (NEW), M Hawkins (NEW)

Outs: C Macdonald (elevated), J Worpel (elevated), D Brinker-Ritchie, M De Wit, M Hall, C Beasley, J Arundell, M Walton, J Parsons, L Wynd