Round 18 Team Selection

High stakes, September-like football has come early for the VFL competition, with seven teams separated by just two wins with four games to play and ladder positions 3-8 well and truly up for grabs.

Box Hill entertain the visiting Collingwood on Sunday, with the two sides occupying fourth and fifth on the VFL ladder and split by percentage only.

Box Hill come into the contest in a rich vein of form having won their last three contests, this winning stretch returning Chris Newman’s men into the top four.

Newman welcomes back Jono O’Rourke following a stint in the Hawks’ senior side, whilst Conor Nash returns having missed last weekend’s win against Sandringham.

Nash has been edging towards an AFL debut in recent weeks, and was rewarded for his efforts with a spot in Alastair Clarkson’s travelling party to the west. And although he didn’t feature on the day he can take plenty of heart knowing he isn’t far away.

Also amongst the inclusions is livewire small forward Billy Murphy, who continues to impress for his community club, Greensborough. Murphy hasn’t featured in the Brown and Gold since Round 11’s win over Frankston, but has enjoyed midfield minutes in the NFL and has routinely hit the scoreboard as he plots a return to senior VFL competition.

Lachlan Walker and Liam Mackie are also listed amongst the possible ins, whilst Harrison Burt retains his place as 23rd man following his debut last week.

Harrison Jones is the only player confirmed to miss, having injured his shoulder.

Fans keen to catch the action can do so via a VFL live stream, which will be available via the VFL YouTube channel from 2pm.

Ins: J. O’Rourke, C. Nash, B. Murphy, L. Walker, L. Mackie
Outs: H. Jones

Box Hill Hawks vs. Collingwood
Sunday, 2:00pm, Box Hill City Oval

Please note: team to be finalised prior to bounce.