Round 3 Match Report

The Box Hill Hawks are off the mark in season 2022, securing a 43-point win over Sandringham on Sunday at the MCG.

With the Hawks set for the first of three byes next weekend the victory represents a vital four points and places disappointing finishes against the Magpies and Blues firmly in the rearview mirror.

Fresh off the birth of his son a week prior, Liam Shiels knocked up a game-high 27 disposals, laid eight tackles and contributed two inside 50s in a best afield display.

Tom Phillips backed up superb performance at VFL level last week with another strong showing, covering the ground beautifully on his way to 26 touches and a well taken left-footed goal.

As for Box Hill-listed talent, Jordan Cunico’s class around the ball was evident all afternoon as he finished with 23 disposals, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s; Ben Cavarra did the damage forward with four majors and at least as many goal assists; while the unorthodox ruck tandem of Jaylon Thorpe and James Parsons competed manfully on their way to standout showings early in their Box Hill Hawks’ careers.

Ultimately, it was a game contested on the inside but won on the spread, with the Hawks +72 in total disposals, +77 in uncontested ball and +48 in marks – a string of statistics that belie the Zebras’ dominance at stoppage that returned 29 more hit outs and 16 more clearances.

Following a tight start in which both sides peppered the goals for little reward, it was the team in brown and gold which first found their rhythm.

Ben Cavarra threw himself into a contest deep forward and was rewarded for his persistence and clean gather with a tripping free. He made no mistake from the resulting set shot and having given his side the lead, the Hawks never looked back.

The Phillips brothers waxed brilliantly on the far side for their side’s second of the day, with Tom lacing out Ed and younger brother kicking truly from hard against the boundary in the shadows of the Shane Warne stand from 50 meters out.

The second quarter started as the first ended, with the class of Box Hill’s prime movers breaking open an early arm wrestle between the arcs with two quick fire goals, the first to Jaylon Thorpe and the second to Cavarra.

James Parsons and Fergus Greene added their first goals of the day shortly after and, suddenly, it was half time and the lead was 34-points.

When play resumed it was Sandy who goalled first, but it was represented only a brief reprieve. Tom Phillips put his hat in the ring for goal of the day, gathering a bouncing ball 35 meters from goal, feigning right to beat his opponent before stepping back inside onto his left and snapping brilliantly.

Cavarra’s third extended the Hawks’ advantage to 39-points nearing time on, before he selflessly turned provider for Damian Mascitti five minutes later.

Having weathered and answered Sandringham’s challenges to that point, Jackson Callow put the exclamation mark on a solid and ultimately decisive third quarter with a strong mark and finish to take the sides to the last change 45-points apart. 

A couple of early Zebras’ goals sparked interest that the contest mightn’t be over, but back-to-back six-pointers from Parsons immediately cancelled them out.

There was time for more, though, as Butler dribbled through his first of the day, Cavarra kicked his fourth and Fergus Greene arrowed through his second from a lovely set shot to put the icing on a 43-point win at the home of football.

The Hawks will next be in action on Sunday April 24th, away to Coburg in the annual ANZAC Cup clash between the sides. 

Best: Shiels, Cavarra, T Phillips, Thorpe, Morris, Parsons

Goals: Cavarra 4, Parsons 3, Greene 2, Callow, Mascitti, T Phillips, E Phillips. Butler, Thorpe

Disposals: Shiels 27, T Phillips 26, Cunico 23, De Wit 23, Mascitti 22, Thorpe 20