VFLW match report: Huge Hawks win in Round 1

Our VFLW Hawks started the season in the best possible way, taking a 108-point win over the Demons in Casey Fields

It was the home side who managed first blood early in the first, but from there it was all Hawks. 

In a nice start to her 2024 as Captain, Tamara Luke marked inside the goal square to go back and slot the Hawks first. Our next two came in quickly, first through Mietta Kendall with a close range set shot and next with Aine McDonagh slotting a dribbler mid-tumble. 

Quick thinking from Kristy Stratton set up Kendall for their second. Before Casey Sherriff closed out the first term in style, booting a major against her former side. 

The Hawks took a 27-point lead into the first break. 

New recruit Jess Matin made her presence known inside 50, with free kick awarded her way she sent the ball across to Stratton who went back to kick her first of the day. 

Keeping on theme of kicking your first goal for your new team, against your old one, Eliza West joined Sherriff and slotted it through with a left boot snap after quick hands from Rosie Dillon. 

Any action in the Dees forward half was quickly shut down by our defence, with the likes of Tamara Smith and Jenna Richardson holding down the fort. 

The main break saw the Hawks lead by 46 points. 

Just over a minute into the second half, Jasmine Fleming once again pushed the ball forward and inside 50 to Stratton who managed an over the back inside the goal square to Bridie Hipwell to tip it through. 

Tam Luke racked up goal number two with classy set shot to further extend the Hawks lead. 

Hit up by Emily Bates, Jess Matin goaled from a huge set shot from 50 for her first goal as a Mustang. 

McDonagh managed her second on the run, after an assist from Rosie Dillon, one of many on the day. 

15 minutes into the third term, Casey managed their second. But the Hawks responded momentarily, off the elite right boot of Kendall who kicked a beauty on the run for their third. 

And within 30 seconds, Kendall managed their fourth with another major to wrap up the third quarter. Giving us a 76-point least at the last change. 

Continuing their goal-kicking display, Kendall booted their fifth and final goal to open the fourth quarter. 

Captain Luke took another sensational grab front and centre to kick truly for her third of the game. 

Caitlin Thorne joined the party of goal kickers, with a nice kick from the pocket. Followed by Matin who. added her second on debut. 

Rosie Dillon made a return to Box Hill in style with a goal to seal the Hawks first victory of the 2024 season. 

We finished the match with ten individual goal scorers. The delivery into our forward line came through the likes of Hawthorn AFLW stars in Fleming, Bates and West, who recorded 39, 31 and 25 disposals respectively.

Their efforts earned them a spot in the best players for the game, joined by Kendall for their bag of five goals, with Smith and Stratton rounding out the group. 

Our Hawks will be back in action next Saturday at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong with a 2.10pm start.

Box Hill	5.3	8.5	14.6	19.8 (122)
Casey	1.0	1.1	2.2	2.2 (14)

 

Best: Fleming, Bates, Kendall, West, Smith, Stratton.

Goals: Kendall 5, Luke 3, Stratton 2, Matin 2, McDonagh 2, West, Thorne, Dillon, Sherriff, Hipwell.

Disposals: Fleming 39, Bates, 31, West 25, Stratton 18, Smith 15, Thorne 15.