Round 15 Match Preview
WHERE: Box Hill City Oval
WHEN: Sunday, 2:00 PM
COVERAGE: 3WBC radio – 94.1FM
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Qualifying Final, 2017: Box Hill 11.11 (77) defeated Port Melbourne 9.10 (64) at Box Hill City Oval
Round 18, 2017: Box Hill 8.10 (58) defeated by Port Melbourne 13.8 () at Box Hill City Oval
Round 7, 2017: Port Melbourne 15.18 (108) drew with Box Hill 16.12 (108) at North Port Oval
Round 12, 2016: Port Melbourne 10.11 (71) defeated Box Hill 7.13 (55) at North Port Oval
Round 8, 2015: Box Hill 17.13 (115) defeated Port Melbourne 8.12 (60) at Box Hill City Oval
SETTING THE SCENE
The Hawks will welcome eighth placed Port Melbourne to Box Hill City Oval on Sunday afternoon in what is yet another season-defining clash between two sides vying for the double chance.
On previous history the teams are impossible to split, with the two clubs squaring off on three occasions in 2017 and producing each available result – a win to Box Hill, a win to Port Melbourne and a draw.
In season present, both sides are pressing their top four claims as two of six teams with a record of seven-and-five, separated by percentage alone. With the pointy end of the season approaching every win is vital – and the result of this hit-out is no different.
HOW TO FOLLOW?
A radio call will be provided by 3WBC, whilst our official social channels remain the destination for coverage throughout the contest. For play by play action, head to Twitter; and check in at Facebook and Instagram for quarter-by-quarter updates.
TEAM NEWS
The Hawks will be without Tim O’Brien and Brendan Whitecross, following recall to senior level, and will also lose Olly Hanrahan from the side that defeated Footscray last week.
However, potential matchwinners buoy the opposing ins, with listed trio James Cousins, Conor Glass and Jackson Ross returning to the side.
Off the back of three goals and a performance which landed him amongst the side’s best, Nathan Boucher will also return to reprise his role as 23rd man.
Chris Jones has again been included in Newman’s squad, with consistent form at local level putting the key tall in the mix for his first senior match of 2018, following a preseason knee injury.
Joining Jones in the extended line-up is Michael Knoll and Billy Murphy; the former a potential requirement pending the fitness of big man, Marc Pittonet, whilst the latter has excelled in two outings for NFL outfit Greensborough, twice named best afield following bags of four and six.
For Port Melbourne, the clash will mark vice-captain Tom O’Sullivan’s 100th match for the Borough, a milestone decorated by a spate of selections in the VFL Team of the Year and highlighted by the ultimate goal of premiership glory.
O’Sullivan will be joined in the middle by Mack Rivett and Mitch Wooffindin, the former judged best afield and the latter racking up a game-high 34 possessions, in the Borough’s last hit-out – a potent midfield unit with Isaac Conway and Eli Templeton also in the mix.
Skipper Jordan Lisle will spearhead the forward line, looking to build on his league-leading 30 goals; while the in-form defensive duo of Dylan Van Unen and Lucas Cook will marshal the opposite end.
Unfortunately for the Borough, they will be without recently recruited young ruckman Kieran Strachan, who demonstrated impressive form last week before being struck down by an ankle injury, which will see him miss the remainder of the year.
HOW HAVE WE BEEN DOING?
Last week saw Box Hill keep their top four aspirations alive after a gutsy 43-point victory over Footscray under the lights of Etihad Stadium. After giving the Dogs a four-goal lead just twelve minutes into the opening term, the Hawks dominated scoring opportunity thereafter, to eventually take the four points.
The result was an important one for Box Hill, off the back of two last-start losses at the hands of Richmond and Essendon. Their seventh win of the year places them amongst six teams, including Port Melbourne, with an equal record and just percentage shy of the double chance.
HOW HAVE THEY BEEN DOING?
Port Melbourne returned to the winner’s list last week, finishing strongly against traditional rival, Williamstown, to boot the game’s last five goals and run away with victory at North Port Oval. The result followed the Borough’s own pair of back-to-back losses, falling to Sandringham and Geelong in the weeks prior.
The 33-point win launched Port Melbourne back into the eight, now also with a seven-and-five record to their name. They remain in touch with the top four, but hold their current spot just inside the eight on percentage alone, with every result now shaping as a key in informing the path of the remainder of their season.
ONES TO WATCH
With a healthy competition for spots on match day, Brayden Kilpatrick worked his way into the coach’s calculations by way of standout displays at local level, capped by recognition with the richly deserved EFL Young Gun Award – and when given his chance last week under the lights of Etihad Stadium, ‘Killa’ did not disappoint.
The youngster racked up 20 disposals – but what was perhaps most pleasing was the way in which he utilised the ball, consistently lowering his eyes to spot up team mates with pinpoint precision.
Alongside clean disposal, Kilpatrick’s efforts around the ground also didn’t go unnoticed, highlighted by a crunching tackle on the wing in the opening term, which shifted the momentum to halt a rampaging Footscray outfit.
Topped by a classy goal of his own, Kilpatrick more than earned his recall to the side, and will no doubt play a key role in securing the four points against the Borough this week.
