Round 8 Match Preview

WHEN: 12.01pm, Sunday May 15
WHERE: Box Hill City Oval
COVERAGE: Tune into Channel 7 or stream live via the AFL Live Official App to watch. Or listen live via 3WBC 94.1FM. 

It’s a Hawks v Tigers clash at home this Sunday, in Round 8 of the VFL season. ‘Proc’ and the team will look to go four-and-three on the year and consolidate a strong showing last weekend against Essendon.

But before that, the Hawthorn VFLW team will take on Essendon, it a top of the table battle with the Hawks sitting second and the Bombers atop the ladder. The VFLW action sets the double header underway from 9.30am Box Hill City Oval. 

Last five meetings

Richmond have come out on top in four of our previous five tussles for points, with our last victory over the yellow and black coming early in the 2017 season. 

Round 16, 2019: Richmond 14.10 (94) defeated Box Hill 12.8 (80) at Box Hill City Oval. 
Round 7, 2019: Richmond 11.12 (78) defeated Box Hill 11.4 (70) at Swinburne Centre. 
Round 13, 2018: Richmond 14.11 (95) defeated Box Hill 6.12 (48) at Swinburne Centre. 
Preliminary Final, 2017: Richmond 18.11 (119) defeated Box Hill 8.6 (54) at Fortburn Stadium. 
Round 5, 2017: Box Hill 18.8 (116) defeated Richmond 13.16 (94) at Box Hill City Oval. 

How have we been going? 

2022 Formline: L, L, W, W, L, W. 

The Hawks managed our biggest win of the season so far last Sunday, when we defeated Essendon by 94-points at Windy Hill.

A record-equally 17 first-half goals set up the victory and five players slotted multiple goals for the day, Emerson Jeka managed his five in the first half, stand-in skipper Fergus Greene also finished with five, Sam Butler and Ben Cavarra kicked three and Brady Grey had two. 

The likes of Cal Porter, Daniel Howe, Liam Shiels, Josh Morris, Fergus Greene and Brady Grey were among our top performers against the Bombers. 

How have they been going? 

2022 Formline: W, L, W, W, L, W.

Last weekend Richmond defeated Port Melbourne by 37-points by virtue of an eight-goal-to-one final term at ETU Stadium. 

Late inclusion Sam Tucker managed five goals in the clash, three of those coming in the final quarter blitz. A young midfield of Jack Ross, Tyler Sonsie and Thomson Dow caused the Borough some headaches, as did performances from Jack Sexton and Bigoa Nyuon. 

Finishing 19.10 (124) to Borough’s 12.15 (87), the Tigers secured their fourth win of the season, placing them eighth on the league ladder. 

Team News 

Clint Proctor’s side has just a couple of movements for Round 8, as we look to secure our first win at home for 2022. 

We gain Hawthorn-listed Josh Ward, Jackson Callow and Jai Serong , who will all provide their assets to the midfield and forward line, respectively. As well as the youngster from Ireland, Fionn O’Hara who lines up for his debut with the Hawks. 

We’re without Emerson Jeka after his impressive first half efforts against Essendon, he was sidelined late in the third term with a hamstring injury. 

One to Watch 

Hawthorn listed Fionn O’Hara is a fresh face into the line-up this week. The young Irishman will play his first game of AFL since coming crossing over late last year, he’s a dual sport junior in Ireland, having played both rugby and gaelic footy. 

O’Hara will be a good one to keep your eye on throughout this week’s match. We’ll watch with no pressure on the newcomer, just excitement as he embarks on a journey into the game, we all know and love.