Round One Ins & Outs

Clint Proctor’s first Box Hill squad is comprised of 12 senior-listed Hawks, a slew of potential Club debutants and an exciting glimpse into the future of both AFL and VFL teams.

Off-season recruits James Parsons, Brady Grey and Ben Cavarra have been named to play the Magpies on Sunday, with all having put together promising pre-seasons on the track.

Parsons played his first official minutes for Box Hill in last week’s match at Arden Street, while Cavarra has had a steady build towards round one via game time against Frankston and North.

 Ex-Docker Grey, on the other hand, has been a prominent feature of the pre-season schedule, capping his preparations with four goals against the Roos just five days ago.

The back six has a somewhat familiar look about it, boasting established VFL stars in Hugh Beasley, Damian Mascitti and Mason De Wit. They will be joined by Parsons and Josh Morris, who finished his 2021 campaign with a string of encouraging performances across half-back, as well as Kyle Hartigan for key position coverage.

The ever-reliable Stu Horner joins that impressive rearguard from the interchange.

Will Day, who made his first appearance of the pre-season in last weekend’s hit-out with the Kangaroos retains his place in the side, with the team sheet suggesting he may feature higher up the ground than Hawks fans have grown accustomed. He’s been named among the followers alongside Dan Howe.

Max Lynch’s injury and Ben McEvoy’s return to senior action has put a premium on the ruck options available to Proctor, with developing tall James Blanck named to take the first centre bounce and, with it, presumably the bulk of them thereafter.

First-year prospect Lachlan Wynd has been named in the extended squad as potential cover. 

Emerson Jeka and Jacob Koschitzke take up the key forward posts, while Jackson Callow, Jai Serong, Seamus Mitchell and the pacy Jack Saunders will provide further support in the contest and on the ground.

The extended squad also features 2021 leading goal kicker Fergus Greene, VFL Team of the Year half-forward Vincent Adduci, experienced hard nut Cal Porter and the hard-running Ed Phillips.

One of Luis D’Angelo or Max Hall look set to be named for their first game as 23rd man. 

NEW: J Parsons, B Cavarra, N Long, J Serong, B Grey, L D’Angelo, L Wynd, M Hall