Round 14 Match Preview
WHEN: 1.05pm, Saturday June 25
WHERE: Whitten Oval
COVERAGE: Watch live via the AFL Live Official App or tune in to listen with 3WBC 94.1FM.
Last Five Meetings:
Round 6, 2019: Box Hill Hawks 12.12 (84) tied with Footscray 12.12 (84) at MCG.
Round 14, 2018: Box Hill Hawks 13.18 (96) defeated Footscray 8.5 (53) at Marvel Stadium.
Round 1, 2017: Box Hill Hawks 15.5 (95) defeated Footscray 14.9. (93) at Whitten Oval.
Round 17, 2016: Footscray 10.13 (73) defeated Box Hill Hawks 10.8 (68) at Whitten Oval.
Qualifying Final, 2015: Box Hill 18.12 (120) defeated Footscray 12.8 (80) at Box Hill City Oval.
Box Hill have been victorious in three of our last five meetings with Footscray, losing one and coming a draw in the most recent clash in 2019 on the biggest stage in football.
We travel back to Whitten Oval this weekend, where when we last played there it was a close encounter and just a two-point win over the hosts.
How have we been going?
L, L, W, W, L, W, W, W, W, W.
Prior to our bye in Round 13, the Hawks made it five wins in a row with a down-to-the-wire classic win over Port Melbourne.
It was a game to remember, and the finale was fitting for the game in which the margin never exceeded four goals in play or a single kick at game breaks.
James Parsons was best afield for the Hawks on the day with 4.3 on the scoreboard, nine clearances and seven inside 50s. James Worpel was another stand out, racking up an equal-game high 26 touches, as well as eight tackles, a game-high 12 clearances, nine centre clearances and two goals.
First-year Hawk and Box Hill debutant on the day, Connor Macdonald performed very well. He finished with 19 touches, eight of which were in the heat of the final term – As well as nine tackles and a crucial point to tie the scores late in the game.
This win made it seven-and-three for the Hawks season, having been victorious in seven of our last eight games. We sit within the top four as we continue to tackle the second half of the year.
How have they been going?
How have they been going?
L, W, L, L, L, W, L, L, W, W, L.
The Bulldogs suffered at the hands of Carlton by 19 points in cold and slippery conditions under lights at IKON Park in Round 13.
The Bulldogs started well, slotting the first three goals of the game including one from the returning Josh Bruce. That would be his first of three for the game, his return from an ACL which saw him miss the 2021 AFL Grand Final. Although they’ll be without Bruce’s services this week, with reports he sustained a hamstring strain.
Neither team could put scores on the board in the second term, with the game played between the arcs. Cold conditions hindered the Dogs ball movement and their ability to convert opportunities, with limited goals scored.
Lachie Hunter also made an admirable return, racking up 30 disposals, seven marks and a goal. Riley Garcia played between the midfield and forward, finishing with 27 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances. Hayden Crozier (27 disposals and 10 marks) and Cody Raak (20 disposals and 10 marks) provided a strong output in defence.
Team News
It’s a strong side for the Hawks this weekend, with a few handy inclusions to get us pumped ahead of our Saturday clash.
We regain captain Hugh Beasley, whose presence is always evident on the field. He’ll be joined by Hawthorn big man Kyle Hartigan, with the duo to no doubt add expertise to the backline.
Senior-listed players in Jackson Callow, Josh Ward and Ned Long all also re-join Box Hill to take on the Dogs.
There’ll be two debutants this weekend, the first being Mason Hawkins aka ‘Minga’ or ‘Hawko’, depending on who you ask. The young gun will line up as the ruckman in his debut game, after an impressive few weeks on the track and with Vermont in the EFNL.
The second who will don the Box Hill guernsey for the first time is Max Ramsden, Hawthorn’s Pick 6 in the Mid-Season Draft. The 19-year-old stands at 202-centimetres tall and is known for his athleticism and strong running capacity, as well as the ability to impact repeat stoppages.
Outs from our Round 12 team include the likes of James Parsons, Mason De Wit, James Worpel (Elevated), James Blanck (Elevated), Connor Macdonald (Elevated) David Brinker-Ritchie, Charlie Beasley, Lachie Wynd, Max Hall, Jake Arundell and Max Walton.
One to Watch
Emerson Jeka will return to the field and the Box Hill line up for the first time in 48 days this weekend, after he was sidelined by a hamstring injury in our clash with Essendon in Round 7.
Jeka looked back to his best, having a ripper game against the Bombers, kicking five goals in just the first half before the inopportune injury early in the third term.
He slotted the most goals for the Hawks in Round 6 against Casey with three, and he booted two against Carlton in Round 2.
The Runner-Up in last year’s Best and Fairest will be a tall target to bolster the ranks of an already impressive forward line. We’re hoping Jeka picks up right where he left off in Round 7, hence why he’s this week’s one to watch
