Round Eighteen Match Preview
WHERE: Box Hill City Oval
WHEN: Sunday, 2:00 PM
COVERAGE: Live video stream – vfl.com.au; 3WBC radio – 94.1FM
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Round 6, 2017: Collingwood 11.10 (76) defeated by Box Hill 16.6 (102) at Olympic Park Oval
Round 20, 2016: Box Hill 7.15 (57) defeated by Collingwood 13.20 (98) at Box Hill City Oval
Round 11, 2015: Collingwood 9.8 (62) defeated Box Hill 9.6 (60) at Victoria Park
Round 17, 2014: Collingwood 13.14 (92) defeated Box Hill 12.9 (81) at Victoria Park
Round 13, 2013: Box Hill 11.14 (80) defeated by Collingwood 12.15 (87) at Box Hill City Oval
SETTING THE SCENE
Another crucial challenge lies ahead for the Hawks, hosting fifth-placed Collingwood at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides come into the clash in a rich vein of form, having won their last three contests and hitting their stride when it matters most, in what is becoming a tightly contested battle for the double chance.
Importantly, the contest will also form part of a new state-wide initiative from AFL Victoria, in White Ribbon Round, encouraging players, fans and coaches to stand up, speak out and act to stop violence against women.
Clubs across all levels of football around the state – from junior leagues to the Peter Jackson VFL, Swisse Wellness Women’s VFL and TAC Cup – will be supporting the round, which seeks to raise critical awareness and funds to prevent violence and drive inclusive and respectful relationships.
HOW TO FOLLOW?
Fans keen to catch the action can do so via a VFL live stream, which will be available through the VFL YouTube channel from 2:00PM.
Alternatively, 3WBC will provide the call via radio once more; while our official social channels continue to report throughout the match. Twitter remains the destination for play by play commentary, or head to Facebook and Instagram for updates by the quarter.
TEAM NEWS
Box Hill will this week see the return of Jonathon O’Rourke, the hard-running midfielder a welcome addition following a stint with the AFL Hawks.
Conor Nash is also amongst the inclusions, having missed last week after being rewarded for his efforts with a spot as the senior side’s travelling emergency. Despite not featuring on the day, the Irishman remains on the cusp of selection, named again as emergency this week, alongside countryman Conor Glass and in-form big man, Marc Pittonet.
Livewire small forward Billy Murphy is in the selection mix, continuing to impress for his community club, Greensborough. Box Hill talent Lachlan Walker and Liam Mackie are also listed amongst the possible ins; whilst youngster Harrison Burt retains his position as 23rd man, following his VFL debut last week
Hawthorn rookie, Harrison Jones, is the only player confirmed to miss for Box Hill after sustaining a shoulder injury in last week’s win.
Conversely, Collingwood will come into this week’s clash without small forward, Jamie Elliott, after the unlucky Pie reinjured his hamstring in the tail-end of his club’s win against North Melbourne last week – just his second match since returning from a previous hamstring injury which has kept him from playing senior football this year.
A further injury plagued senior side will also see the VFL Pies lose key defender Jack Madgen, the mature-age recruit coming in for his AFL debut off the back of an impressive run of individual form.
James Aish, Alex Fasolo and Jarryd Blair are among the AFL-listed players who will take to the field, the trio sidelined through injury in the middle the year and needing to continue to build match fitness before being recalled to the senior team.
Poised rookie Adam Oxley, and the athletic Sam McLarty may also line up for the VFL Pies, after being named emergencies for the senior side, alongside Aish and Fasolo.
Alex Woodward will return for his fifth consecutive match following a comeback which is nothing short of remarkable, after undergoing a fourth knee reconstruction; and will be joined in the midfield by fellow VFL talent Marty Hore and skipper Jack Hellier.
HOW HAVE WE BEEN DOING?
Last week the Hawks overcame a dogged Sandringham outfit at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, kicking the opening four goals of the match before Sandringham could hit the scoreboard. While the Zebras whittled the margin down to two straight kicks early in the last, the margin never closed within that gap as the Hawks found answers at every challenge.
The performance granted Box Hill their third victory in a row, the winning stretch returning the Hawks to fourth spot on the table – but with this week’s opponent hot on their heels and trailing on percentage alone.
HOW HAVE THEY BEEN DOING?
The Pies are coming off a close encounter with North Melbourne, taking the four points in a battle which never pushed beyond a 14-point margin. It was a three goal to one third term that saw the Pies hit the front at the last changeover – a lead they would not relinquish – despite the Kangaroos challenging with the breeze in the final quarter.
The eight-point defeat of North Melbourne was also Collingwood’s third victory in a row, their impressive form affording them fifth spot on the table and shy of the top four by only percentage.
