Round Thirteen Match Preview
WHERE: Swinburne Centre
WHEN: Saturday, 11:30AM
COVERAGE: 3WBC radio – 94.1FM
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Preliminary Final, 2017: Box Hill 8.6 (54) defeated by Richmond 18.11 (119) at Fortburn Stadium
Round 5, 2017: Box Hill 18.8 (116) defeated Richmond 13.16 (94) at Box Hill City Oval
Round 16, 2016: Richmond 13.7 (85) defeated Box Hill 10.9 (69) at Swinburne Centre
Round 16, 2015: Box Hill 15.7. (97) defeated Richmond 8.10 (58) at Box Hill City Oval
Round 7, 2014: Richmond 8.12 (60) defeated by Box Hill 13.11 (89) at Swinburne Centre
SETTING THE SCENE
The Box Hill Hawks will head down Punt Road to do battle with the top of the table Tigers on their home deck – a test that doesn’t come much bigger.
A result likely still etched in the minds of Box Hill, the last time the two sides clashed saw one progress to the last Sunday of September – and the Tigers stamped the result early, piling on six first-term goals to Box Hill’s single behind to kill the contest promptly.
In season 2018 the Tigers look solid, while Box Hill will seek to make a statement ahead of a challenging run of football, which sees them take on a spate of top eight sides all jostling for their position. A win this week could be the spark which sees the Hawks mount their challenge for a highly coveted top four finish.
In this week’s double-header, Box Hill kick off the action early, with proceedings to get underway at 11:30AM; before the VFLW side hit the park, as they look to take home the four points and solidify their own position within the top four.
HOW TO FOLLOW?
Radio coverage on 3WBC will continue, whilst our official social channels remain the destination for coverage throughout the match. Head to Twitter for play by play action, or check in at Facebook and Instagram for quarter-by-quarter updates.
TEAM NEWS
As is becoming custom, Box Hill boast another heavily AFL-listed squad coming into this week’s clash, with 20 senior Hawks comprising Chris Newman’s extended line-up.
In this week’s good news story, Hawthorn rookie Changkuoth Jiath returns to the frame after an injury-riddled start to the year. The youngster, who brings raw ability and excitement in spades, made an eye-catching debut in Box Hill’s early season win over Coburg, coming off the bench for a second-half cameo filled with high marking and terrific energy; and should bring much the same if he takes the field on Saturday.
Teia Miles has also been named, having overcome a worrying knock in the final term of last week’s loss to Essendon. The creative defender backed up his composure and class with incredible courage, putting his body on the line through fearless attack on the ball while the result hung in the balance.
Miles will be joined down back by in-form duo, Kaiden Brand and Kurt Heatherley, the pair weathering a barrage of Essendon attack last week and proving victorious in countless contests. The backline will be further bolstered by the cool head and important rebound of former skipper, David Mirra.
Brayden Kilpatrick has worked his way into the coach’s calculations by way of standout displays for South Croydon at local level, the last of which was recognised with the well-deserved EFL Young Gun Award.
Anthony Brolic is also back in the selection mix; while a debut could be on the cards for former Gold Coast Sun and Port Melbourne alum, Leigh Osborne.
Another solid contribution from Mackenzie Doreian sees the youngster retain his spot as 23rd man for a third successive week, looking to continue to build on his growing confidence at VFL level.
For the Tigers, promising young defender Ryan Garthwaite returns to the side following a Round 13 AFL debut; while premiership player, Kamdyn McIntosh, will also spend the week with the VFL Tigers.
Richmond rookie, Callum Moore, will be out to replicate previous form, with the powerful contested marking forward bagging an impressive five second-half goals in the Tiger’s last hit-out.
Also hitting the scoreboard, Corey Ellis will return after two goals paired with silky midfield disposal in wet conditions, earned him best afield honours.
Ellis will head up a dangerous midfield unit which also features the able-bodied Anthony Miles, and dashing Connor Menadue; while Nathan Drummond will look to continue his consistent form on his road to recovery, after the luckless midfielder suffered a second season-ending knee injury early last year.
HOW HAVE WE BEEN DOING?
The challenges have mounted for Box Hill, after last week falling short of an impressive Essendon outfit, who as a result of the outcome have been buoyed to a top four spot. The tight and tough contest saw the two sides separated by a single point with just ten minutes to play, before Essendon kicked the last two goals of the game to have the final say, and emerge 14-point victors.
The loss marks the Hawks’ third defeat from their last four starts, currently sitting in fifth spot on the table with a six-and-four record to their name. Although just one game shy of the top four; a loss could see Box Hill slip outside the eight if the round were to deal them an unlucky hand of results.
HOW HAVE THEY BEEN DOING?
The Tigers currently sit atop the table, clear of the second-placed Demons on percentage alone. Their eight-and-two record comprises a Round 4 loss at the hands of Footscray, by the slightest of margins, and a Round 9 clash with Williamstown who were two goals the better on the day.
The Tigers rebounded from their loss to Williamstown to overcome the Northern Blues by 38 points in trying conditions, a fortnight ago. Following a week off with the bye, the Tigers come into this week’s clash in-form, fresh and raring to go.
ONES TO WATCH
Against a powerful midfield unit, first use is vital – and Marc Pittonet provides exactly that. The Hawthorn big man has been in excellent form, not only competing more than ably in the ruck dual, but affording an extra body around the contest and consistently accumulating tackle numbers which belie his frame.
Pittonet’s year was typified in his well-deserved best afield Round 9 performance against Werribee, notching 54 hitouts, racking up 16 disposals and laying 10 tackles. An effort in the same vein could prove a key in taming the Tigers.
