The Box Hill Hawks returned to the winners’ list on Saturday, snapping a 12 year drought in Werribee and recording just a second win in the past nine attempts against the reigning premier.

The Hawks lead at every change of ends and won three of four quarters on the day to secure the 16-point victory and regain the Beyond Blue Cup, a result which improves Zane Littlejohn’s men to five-and-one on the season and second-place on the competition ladder.

Having claimed so many key statistical indicators in last weekend’s loss to Richmond, thus outlining a lack of efficiency with ball in hand, the Hawks were far more clinical when opportunity – and their opposition – knocked this time out.

The team in brown and gold finished the contest -27 for total disposals, -13 in inside 50s, -9 for hitouts but +2 for clearance, -2 for marks… but took the lead two-and-a-half minutes into the match and were never headed thereafter. 

It must be said, while the Hawks got the fast start via goals from Max Ramsden and Jasper Scaife, Werribee had cause to consider themselves a touch unlucky to trail come the first change.

The longer the term went the stronger the hosts looked, but despite their territory, attempts on goal and best efforts, they weren’t able to take full toll against a Box Hill side which dug their heels in to lead come quarter time.

Having survived a sustained period on the back foot, the Hawks came out for the second period refreshed, renewed and inspired.

An early Matt Hill goal set the scene for, perhaps, Box Hill’s best quarter of 2025. Come the 24-minute mark the visitors had kicked 4.2 to 0.1 to set-up a 28-point lead and, ultimately, the match. 

A Calsher Dear set shot, a superb second to Hill and a rare goal from Jai Serong did the damage on the scoreboard during this time.

Werribee got one back in the shadows of half-time, but as the half progressed there was only one team running this contest. Having not won in Werribee since 2013, Box Hill were deserved 23-point leaders at the main break and had earned that lead by keeping their hosts to just two goals for the half.

A strong and proud outfit, the Tigers got the jump once play got back underway, booting the first two goals of the second half inside three minutes to seemingly set-up the arm wrestle most had expected.

But Scaife’s second and third goals were the bookends on a run of six consecutive goals between the six minute mark of the third and 10 minute mark of the last, a run which set-up a game-high 48-point lead.

Hill’s third mid-way through the third term was just reward for an exciting and encouraging display from the rugby league convert, while Max Donohue booted his first VFL goal a short time later to keep the good times rolling.

By the time Kye Declase inevitably kicked his first against his old side late in time on, Box Hill looked odds on to take the points.

38-points to the good with one to play but knowing Werribee would throw the kitchen sink at a comeback, Blake Simondson eased any nerves early In the last by winning a holding the ball free kick deep in attacking 50 and converting his set shot, before Jasper Scaife’s third of the afternoon kept the good times rolling five minutes later.

Back-to-back Werribee goals came after 11 and 13 minutes to reignite an interest in the points, but a Jake Arundell goal was just enough to put the brakes on any momentum the hosts were trying to build.

Harry Maguire kicked his second of the day to keep the hosts somewhat in the hunt, but Will McCabe’s first took the lead back out past 40-points as the match ticked into time on.

To their credit, Werribee never went away and played their best footy of the day from this point until the final siren.

From the 23 minute mark of the last term until the final siren the reigning premier kicked four unanswered goals to trim the margin to just 16-points… but they’d left their run a touch too late and the result was never seriously under threat.

Max Ramsden was Box Hill’s best on the day, taking on the added responsibility of filling Ned Reeves boots as first-ruck in his stride. His 21 disposals – good enough for ninth best on ground – was impressive enough for a big man, but it was his overall impact all around the ground which pleased those in brown and gold the most.

His 134 ranking points, second only to Werribee star and reigning JJ Liston Trophy winner Dom Brew, was comprised of seven marks, six clearances, six inside 50s, five tackles, two rebound 50s and one goal. Big in his one-on-one contests, an outlet in the air and strong from first siren o last – Saturday was Max’s best showing of the 2025 season.

Box Hill’s biggest ball-winner, Seamus Mitchell, also won special acclaim from his coaches for his 29 disposal, 11 mark, seven rebound 50 performance. The dashing half-back was at his hard-working and hard-running best, using the ball well to diffuse countless Werribee raids and set up counter-attacks all afternoon. 

Bodie Ryan’s impressive start to 2025 continued with a second successive nod in the Hawks’ best players. His 24 touches were good enough to rank him third among all players on the ground, while his 12 marks and eight rebounds 50s placed him no.1 among all players in those categories.

Given match-ups and available key position talent, reigning Box Hill Hawks best and fairest Jai Serong was given the opportunity to play higher up the ground. He started his day on a wing, but also drifted forward from time to time. Operating primarily between the arcs, the smooth-moving Serong finished with 17 touches, nine marks and a crucial goal.

On the opposite wing Kye Declase was superb against his old Club, working hard all day to tally 19 touches, take eight marks and kick 1.1 on the afternoon. Like Serong, Mitchell and Ryan, Declase was an outlet in transition throughout and a crucial figure both ahead of the ball and whenever the Hawks needed to slow things down to absorb pressure.

Lastly among the best players for Box Hill was live-wire small forward Matt Hill. His seven touches don’t adequately tell the story of how impactful his presence was on the day.

Tried at various times early in the season in back-half roles, if the pacy small wasn’t creating his own chances inside forward 50, his pressure was creating panic and delay for others to benefit from.

While he finished his afternoon with three majors, it was as heartening to see the first-year prospect have a hand in a handful more goals, too.

Elsewhere, the performances of Cody Anderson (22 touches) and Sam Butler (17 touches) were cause for encouragement. First year mid Anderson and Butler, who is notionally a small or half-forward were given some added responsibility in the absence of Henry Hustwaite and Finn Maginness from the Hawks’ engine room and turned in excellent displays. 

Lane Ward, too, continues to turn in fine displays in his second season on Box Hill’s list, playing a variety of roles in the midfield and across half back. 

The Hawks will return to action next Saturday morning, taking on the Gold Coast Suns at People’s First Stadium from 11:05am.

Best: Ramsden, Mitchell, Ryan, Serong, Declase, Hill

Goals: Scaife, Hill 3, Simondson, Serong, Ramsden, McCabe, Donohue, Declase, Dear, Arundell

Disposals: Mitchell 29, Ryan 24, Anderson 22, Ramsden 21, Declase 19, Serong 17, Butler 17