Round 20 Selection

The Box Hill Hawks will look to bounce back following their first loss in five outings last week as they entertain top of the table Casey in Saturday’s VFL Match of the Day.

The Demons are undoubtably the form team of the competition and boast a 12-match winning streak as we approach the business end of the season.

The Hawks had been on a winning run of their own before a last start defeat to Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval, and will be out to both test their mettle against the rampant Dees and keep tabs on the fourth placed Williamstown in the battle for the second chance.

Chris Newman welcomes back vice-captain Will Hams, who missed the trip to Werribee with soreness, as well as experiened hand Brendan Whitecross.

Should Whitecross feature it’d mark his tenth VFL appearance of 2018. The veteran Hawk will be counted on to provide a much needed presence in and around the contest against a Casey outfit which typically performs well in contested possessions and clearances.

Also back following a week off is the Hawks’ leading goal kicker Mitch Lewis. The second year rookie has spearheaded Box Hill’s attack wonderfully during the current campaign, winning promotion to the AFL on the back of his good form. His 31 goals is good enough for third in the race for the Frosty Miller Medal and he’ll no doubt be out to add to his tally.

Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn holdover) and Anthony Brolic (soreness) are also in the mix to feature, with both men late withdrawals from the selected side in round 19.

In positive news Tom Maloney, last season’s Development League best and fairest, could run out for the first time since round 5, whilst Sam Parsons will make his debut as the 23rd man.

Joining them is big man Michael Knoll, who retains his place as Newman’s first choice ruckman following the promotion and retention of Marc Pittonet to the Hawks’ AFL side. Knoll’s work after the contest was a highlight last weekend and the hard-working tall was singled out for praise post-match by his coaches. 

Ins: W. Hams, M. Lewis, B. Whitecross, T. Duryea, A. Brolic, T. Maloney, S. Parsons (debut)
Outs: C. Glass, S. Horner, H. Burt

Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Demons
Saturday, 2:10pm, Box Hill City Oval

Please note: team to be finalised prior to bounce.