Six Changes For Final Home and Away Clash

Sunday’s final home and away match of 2024 sees a replay of last year’s Qualifying Final, with Box Hill set to host Werribee with a variety of top four and top six permeations on the line.

A win for Box Hill will lock in fourth place and the double chance, while a Werribee victory will claim top spot for the 2023 VFL runners’ up. 

The Hawks have been forced to shuffle their deck following a string of injuries sustained in the nail-biting win over GWS two weeks ago, losing three players to injury and another to a senior call up.

Tyler Brown is set for a stint on the sidelines having ruptured his achilles late in the first term, while Ben Cavarra has re-injured and begun rehab on his troublesome hamstring.

Bailey Macdonald is another to miss with a niggle and will be joined on the sidelines by Chad Wingard, who has been managed. 

Cam Mackenzie has been rewarded with a senior call-up following a stand-out display against the Giants and developing midfielder Billy Hicks has been omitted.

Among the ins are a quartet of young VFL listed talent, including Kye Agosta, Andreas Stefanakis, Andrew Mathieson and Nathan Philactides – the latter of whom is in for his first game since round 10’s win over Essendon. 

Josh Ward joins them in the Hawks’ engine room and will push for an immediate senior recall, and he’ll be joined in the midfield mix by Eastern Ranges draft prospect Christian Moraes.

The 182cm mid-forward represented Vic Metro at this year’s under 18’s national carnival, booting two goals from 22 touches in a starring role against South Australia. 

Sunday’s game at Box Hill City Oval is scheduled for a 2:05pm start. Any changes to our selected 23 will be communicated prior to the first bounce. 

Ins: K. Agosta, A. Mathieson, N. Philactides, A. Stefanakis, J. Ward, C. Moraes (NEW)

Outs: B. Macdonald (inj), T. Brown (inj), B. Cavarra (inj), C. Mackenzie (AFL), C. Wingard (managed), B. Hicks

Squad: 21. C Stephens, 24. D Grainger-Barras, 25. J Ward, 26. B Ryan, 27. W McCabe, 29. J Serong, 32. F Maginness, 37. E Phillips, 38. M Ramsden, 39. J Scaife, 40. S Mitchell, 43. J O’Sullivan, 44. H Hustwaite, 45. C Tucker, 51. N Philactides, 55. C Porter, 57. J Thorpe, 61. J Arundell, 62. S Horner, 65. A Stefanakis, 67. C Moraes, 72. A Mathieson, 78. K Agosta

Emergencies: 54. L Ward, 59. J Rule, 68. D Wood, 73. S Amoroso, 77. B De Bolfo, 80. M Sruk