They don’t come much bigger than this.
Third host first. 2:10pm Saturday. Live on Channel 7.
This Saturday at North Port Oval is a potential preview of what we might see come September, with both sides blazing a trail at the top of the table.
Having lost their first match of the season and relinquishing top spot on the VFL ladder as a result just prior to the bye, Port Melbourne will be out to bounce back and re-join the winners’ list.
Entertaining the top of the table Hawks is precisely the sort of challenge coach Gary Ayres would’ve wanted coming off a loss and the week off, with the occasion likely to bring out the best in the Hawthorn champion and his charges.
The Hawks will be keen to keep their early season momentum rolling and secure a seventh win from as many starts. As far as tests go, Port at North Port is about as searching an examination as exists in the VFL.
Chris Newman has his side in imperious form of late, with a string of terrific come-from-behind victories typifying a galvanised and resilient Box Hill in 2017.
This is an encounter that will go a long way towards proving each side’s character and premiership credentials.
Team to be confirmed prior to bounce.
ROUND 7 VFL TEAM
Port Melbourne v Box Hill
North Port Oval
Saturday 3 June, 2.10pm
| B | 64. C Glass | 17. A Kennedy | 34. K Heatherley |
| HB | 35. H Morrison | 75. R Schoenmakers | 5. M Warren |
| C | 74. B Hartung | 10. W Hams | 40. K Stewart |
| HF | 7. A Brolic | 73. T O’Brien | 24. S Switkowski |
| F | 42. T Miles | 39. M Lewis | 3. W Murphy |
| R | 72. M Pittonet | 2. A Moore | 69. W Langford |
| Int | 12. C Jones | 15. X Dimasi | 9. B Evans |
| 45. N Lane | 23. J Walker | 29. S Gibson | |
| 13. N Evans | 28. L Cox | ||
| 23P | 6. S Horner |
Read: VFLW Round 4 team announced
Box Hill Development
The Vic Development Squad tackle Port in the day’s curtain raiser, with a reversal of the third hosting first dynamic that will occur later in the day. This match will see the first placed Port host the third placed Hawks.
Our youngsters have had a challenging month, winning once, losing twice and having the bye in between.
There were plenty of positives signs out of the round 6 loss to Coburg, with a team comprised of half a dozen debutants brave in succumbing to the Lions.
They staged what looked like an improbable surge from as many as five goals in arrears to hit the front.
The Hawks’ youngsters looked on the cusp of an extraordinary win, but they tired in the final term and Coburg took full advantage to finish the stronger.
ROUND 7 VFL DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Port Melbourne v Box Hill
North Port Oval
Saturday 3 June, 11AM
| B | 8. A Bond | 25. J Firns | 18. L Jeffs |
| HB | 29. S Gibson | 21. J Fisher | 13. N Evans |
| C | 11. B Kilpatrick | 9. B Evans | 16. L Williams |
| HF | 15. X Dimasi | 12. C Jones | 46. T Maloney |
| F | 45. N Lane | 22. Z Monkhorst | 14. M Traynor |
| R | 19. C O’Sullivan | 23. J Walker | 28. L Cox |
| Int | 43. T Hollins | 51. V Adduci | 20. J Codd-Miller |
| 57. T Davies | 59. J McCormack | 47. H Burt | |
| 53. T Castledine | 58. M Knoll | 55. T Jacotine | |
| 33. D Hehir | 54. T Horne |
