Hawks win first final

The Box Hill Hawks put the stops on Geelong with a powerful 34 point victory in the First Elimination Final at TEAC Oval.

A seven goal third term dashed Geelong’s finals hopes as the Hawks stormed to their sixth consecutive victory.

Tim Walsh starred for the Hawks in the ruck with 13 disposals and 19 hitouts while Sam Iles (24 disposals) and Ed Curnow (23) added to the long-list of good performances.

Returning, Geelong Captain James Podsiadly after a two week rest due to an ankle injury strengthened the Cats line-up, but the 2008 J.J Liston Trophy Medallist wasn’t enough to stop the younger Hawks side.

Fielding seventeen AFL listed players to the Hawks ten; a lack of experience didn’t falter the Hawks who looked a class above.

Goalless only for the 2nd time this season in a quarter, the Hawks were left in the shadows as Geelong took a 21 point lead at the first break

Geelong Captain James Podsiadly kicking three goals in the 1st term had the Hawks on the edge.

As Geelong looked to break open and away with the match, Box Hill lifted kicking 17 goals to the Cats 9 after the opening term to run out the match in convincing fashion.

Box Hill not having a key-forward like Geelong in Podsiadly in the 1st term really proved a problem, but as the Hawks began to improve hitting men on the mark diminished and so did Geelong’s season.

In fact, Geelong having only kicked a total of two points in the final term of its past three games compared to Box Hill’s 9.14 indicated the Cats would struggle in the final term and in deed they did.

Box Hill was unlucky not to be rewarded after six scoring shots and heavy tackling pressure in the 1st term but the long road back for the Hawks took to the right course and in style.

With Walsh, Iles and Curnow, Matt Suckling continued to make an impact with 17 disposals and three goals with his past form irresistible to watch with some well timed goals from long-range.

Cameron Pedersen again led by example with 18 disposals including 8 marks imposing himself right from the get-go with his ruckwork against Shane Mumford also quite handy.

After starting down back, Adem Yze was destructive up forward kicking three goals while collecting 17 disposals with Box Hill reaping the rewards of their star pick-up again. 

Rounding out the Hawks, Brad Neil 19 disposals, Joel Cross (20), Lachlan George (25) and Luke Breust (15) and two goals all had serviceable performances.

Reducing, James Podsiadly to only 4 goals after kicking three in the 1st term was a good win for the Hawks with Lachlan Mc-Queen Miscamble and Co-Captain Lukas Markovic each having a run on the Geelong powerhouse.

Geelong coming into the match with three losses in a row extended their losing streak to four on a sour note to a pleasing season before their abrupt end.

Box Hill’s tackling pressure was also a feature in the victory laying 76 tackles to Geelong’s 32 in the Hawks most physical display for the season.

Next Box Hill faces Port Melbourne in the First Semi-Final on Sunday 13th September at TEAC Oval beginning at 1.10pm.

After falling to 2008 VFL Premiers in North Ballarat in the First Qualifying Final by 48 points, Port Melbourne will be raring to go on home turf after their dismal showing.

Box Hill on the other hand will be looking to shut down Port Melbourne like they did in their last encounter in Round 15 winning by 8 points.

The Hawks reach their 1st Semi-Final appearance in five years after last playing in the First Semi-Final against Coburg Tigers in 2004 VFL Finals Series. 

Living to fight on another day, the Hawks will leave nothing untouched in their path to glory.

Box Hill Hawks: 0.6 / 5.11 / 12.14 / 17.19.121   
Geelong: 4.3 / 6.4 / 7.9 / 13.9.87       

Goals: A. Yze 3, M. Suckling 3, S. Iles 2, L. Breust 2, J. Morton 2, B. Fagan, M. Williams, J. Lisle, C. Pedersen, L. George

Best: T. Walsh, S. Iles, E. Curnow, M. Suckling, H. Kiel, A. Yze