BOX Hill Hawks will play in their third consecutive VFL Grand Final, when they take on Williamstown at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawks lost last year’s decider, to Footscray, and won the big dance the year before against Geelong.
After finishing the 2015 season as minor premiers, the Hawks will enter Sunday’s match against the standalone Seagulls as firm favourites.
SEE THE SQUAD: Box Hill Hawks name 31-player squad for VFL Grand Final
The sides have met twice this season, with the ledger square at one win apiece.
In Round 10, the Hawks recorded a 62-point win, with Ben McEvoy dominant in the ruck (31 hitouts), Jonathan Simpkin finding plenty of the ball (31 disposals) and James Sicily doing the damage up forward (five goals).
However the tables were turned in the final round of the home-and-away season, when the Seagulls claimed a 14-point win on the back of 42 and 30-disposal games respectively for midfielders Mitch Banner and Ben Jolley.
Two contrasting game styles will be in display on Sunday.
Williamstown, coached by former Hawthorn great Andy Collins, have shown that they will look to kick long more often than not, relying upon their contested football, while Box Hill will look to use the ball with more precision and work the ball around the ground until they connect forward.
If Box Hill is to be successful they need to apply pressure to the ball carrier like they did in Round 10 at Burbank Oval, when they setup an impressive victory.
SEE THE SQUAD: Box Hill Hawks name 31-player squad for VFL Grand Final
Being able to pressure their opponents and pushing numbers to the next contest will be the key for the Hawks, especially at Etihad Stadium where the ball can move quickly.
If the Hawks can control the ball and the tempo of the game by foot, then this will put them in a very good position to add to their four VFL/VFA premierships.
Match details
Box Hill Hawks v Williamstown
3pm, Etihad Stadium, Docklands
Access to Etihad Stadium
Gates open to general public at 10.30am via Gates 2, 3 or 7 (Gate 1 opens at 12.30pm).
Ticket Prices: $20 Adults, $15 Concession/Pensioners, 12 and under free.
Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.
Coverage of the game
Tune into Channel 7 for live coverage of the VFL Grand Final from 2.30pm, or tune into 3WBC for live Radio Coverage from 2pm
