VFLW practice match report: Hawks go two from two

Box Hill’s VFLW team made it two from two in practice matches with a 7.5.47 – 6.0.36 win over Essendon at the NEC Hangar on Saturday.

Maddie Boyd was the star of the day with four majors and several contested marks.

See how the action unfolded below:

Q1

The Hawks burst out of the blocks early with a beautiful goal from Maddie Boyd. Little did we know this would be the start of a big day for her. Boyd’s marking proved difficult for the Bombers to stop and she ended the quarter with a couple of majors – Box Hill’s total goals for the term. Elsewhere, Grace Matser started off in the ruck and dominated. She was joined in the midfield by captain Nicole Garner, who spent some time on the wing. Jordan Mifsud was back to her best and fairest form, joining Nadia von Bertouch in steadying their side when they needed experience the most. At the end of the term, the Hawks held a one-point lead, as the Bombers were able to keep themselves in the game.

Q2

Boyd continued to dominate in the second term with her strong hands. She also added another major to her name, making it three Boyd goals to half-time. She gave off what would have been her fourth goal to Mietta Kendall, who slotted through a beautiful 40-metre set shot from a tough angle. Mifsud stepped up her game a notch in the middle of the ground while Caitlin Thorne displayed her dangerous run and carry out the backline. New Hawk Akayla Peterson also showed off her running ability and elite kicking. At the end of the first half, the Hawks extended their lead to seven.

Q3

Cherie O’Neill moved the magnets to start the second half, shifting Nadia von Bertouch to the wing and Amanda Tessari up forward. Kendall continued their lively start with strong tackling inside 50. In the midfield, it was Alisha Molesworth and Annie Muir who started to get their hands on the footy rapidly, burning their opponents with their speed and smarts. Charlotte Hammans also showed good poise around the ground. Shanara Notman made the most of her opportunity up forward by kicking Box Hill’s sole goal of the term. She was aided by some sharp forward entries from Peterson. At the end of the third quarter, Box Hill led by 17 points, off the back of a few behinds to go with Notman’s goal.

Q4

The Hawks were given a scare at the start of the fourth term, thanks to two quick Bombers trimming the margin down to five. But as has been the theme for the whole pre-season, Box Hill responded in a big way. It was again Boyd who led from the front with another strong contested mark and goal, her fourth for the day. That was followed by a major from Tessari from directly in front, following a 50-metre penalty. Emerson Woods also stepped up her game to take the match away from the Bombers. At full-time, the Hawks celebrated an 11-point victory.

ESSENDON 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 (36)

BOX HILL 2.1 | 4.1 | 5.5 | 7.5 (47)

Goals: Boyd 4, Kendall, Notman, Tessari