SENIORS: Hawks back to winning ways against Richmond

FOLLOWING a disappointing loss to Werribee last week, the Box Hill Hawks came out hungry against a strong Richmond line-up to win by 39 points.

Box Hill City Oval attracted an impressive crowd of around 2000 fans that braved the chilly conditions to see the Hawks kick away to an 18-point quarter-time lead.

Tim O’Brien kicked the first goal of the match and would finish with 3 to continue his solid form, while Jed Anderson and Jonathan Ceglar combined for the Hawks’ second.

By the half-time break the Hawks held a 23-point lead and had kept the Tigers to a solitary goal – showcasing the VFL’s strongest defensive side.

Captain David Mirra took an impressive 10 marks and attributed the squad’s impressive defensive record to three things.

“Full team defence, strong communication and relying on each player applying as much pressure as possible when the opposition has the ball,” he said.

The second half of the third term didn’t go Box Hill’s way and coach Marco Bello reiterated the message of the day, which was: “to win hard ball gets and contested ball around the ground”.

The Hawks did not disappoint Bello and they piled on four goals in about as many minutes early in the final term.

When the final siren sounded the Box Hill Hawks had defeated Richmond by 39 points and had regained top spot on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder. However Williamstown’s win over Collingwood on Sunday means Box Hill is sitting in second by way of percentage.

The Box Hill Hawks will take on an eighth-placed Casey Scorpions this Sunday at City Oval.

Make sure you get down to support the boys this weekend and join in the all the fun of jumping castles, face painting, handball targets, goal kicking and free show bags for all kids.

Final Scores:

Box Hill Hawks: 3. 4 5. 6 11. 6 15. 7 (97)
Richmond: 0. 4 1. 7 5. 9 8. 10 (58)

Goals: O’Brien 3, Lawlor 2, Tatupu 2
Best: Simpkin, Mirra, O’Brien, Pittonett, Iles, O’Donnell
Photo Credit: Jenny Owens