Round 8 Ins and Outs

The Box Hill Hawks entertain Richmond on Sunday afternoon in a clash which represents the pair’s first meeting for premiership points since July 2019.

The Hawks and Tigers come into the match-up in 10th and eighth place respectfully on the VFL ladder, separated by just four points and sharing identical 3-1 records over the past month; both sides knowing a win will consolidate that strong run of form and kickstart the middle phase of the season. 

In selection news , first-round draft pick Josh Ward could make a debut appearance for Box Hill, having enjoyed an encouraging start to his maiden campaign in brown and gold at senior level.

Leinsterman Fionn O’Hara has been named to play his first game of Australian rules football since crossing from Ireland late last year.

The youngster from County Westmeath played both Gaelic football and rugby union growing up and has navigated an interrupted start to life on Hawthorn’s senior list. Skilful and fast, O’Hara has been named to debut on a half-forward flank.

Jackson Callow is another who returns to the Box Hill set-up after a fortnight in the AFL mix. Given a hamstring injury to Emerson Jeka last weekend, his magnet is a welcome addition to Clint Proctor’s whiteboard and gives the Hawks’ forward line the strong marking option it needs.

Callow will be supported by first-year prospects Ned Long and Jai Serong, with Jack Saunders likely to be deployed as a high half-forward.

Former AFL-listed talent Brady Grey and Ben Cavarra bring tackling pressure, leadership and an eye for goal. 

Elsewhere, Fergus Greene will hand over captaincy duties to Stu Horner, who will deputise in the continued absence of Hugh Beasley, who again misses due to a hamstring strain.

Proctor will be looking to his strong on-ball brigade to give his side traction, calling on the likes of Ward, Liam Shiels, Dan Howe, James Parsons, Ed Phillips, Cal Porter and Jordan Cunico – all of whom boast senior AFL experience. 

The Hawks will rely on a strong defensive showing from a group which continues to gel together. Josh Morris has been in fine form as either a lockdown small or rebounding defender, while Kyle Hartigan provides an a strong option to curb opposition’s biggest forward.

Key tall James Blanck, the latest in a long line of home grown, developing Box Hill talent, has stepped up superbly in the absence of Beasley and will support Hartigan

As always, the likes of Horner, Damian Mascitti and Mason De Wit provide reliable cover in the air, on the deck and coming out of defensive fifty.

Our final team will be confirmed at 11:30am tomorrow morning, with the first bounce scheduled for 12:01pm.

Ins: J Callow, J Serong, F O’Hara (NEW), J Ward (NEW), L Coghlan (NEW)
Outs: T Brockman (shoulder), E Jeka (hamstring)