The Box Hill Hawks dominated the Gold Coast SUNS with an 84-point win at People First Stadium at the weekend.

This marked the Hawks first win up north against the SUNS since they joined the VFL competition in 2021.

Senior Coach Zane Littlejohn said it was a super result on the Gold Coast.

“We wanted to start really well, knowing that recent history says our trips to the Gold Coast haven’t been successful,” he said.

“All the boys and the staff wanted to make sure we were prepared and could start the game really well, so to come in one goal up at quarter time was really pleasing, it gave the boys a heap of confidence from that point on to really make sure we took the contest right up to Gold Coast and controlled the game from that point onwards which was really pleasing.”

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Littlejohn reviewed the performances of all 12 AFL-listed Hawks and gave a shout out to a couple VFL-listed players.

Sam Butler (31 disposals, seven clearances, six score involvements)

“Best game I’ve probably seen Sam play, especially considering he played through the midfield. To have 31 disposals, 11 contested possessions, seven clearances, a really nicely, well-balanced game from Butsy. Really pleased to see him play really well and start to get back to the player we know he can be. Coming back from such a serious injury, to see him bounce back like that and find some form again, was really pleasing.”

Jai Serong (28 disposals, 11 marks, five intercept possessions)

“Jai played a little bit on the wing and obviously across half back, he’s a real barometer and leader for our program and we love him and what he’s able to bring. He’s working really hard on his wing craft and bringing that versatility to his game, I think we’ve seen that in him being able to slide back in the second half and play as a defender and really continue to control the game from the back end, with some big contest kills and wins, was a great result.”

Henry Hustwaite (28 disposals, nine tackles, six clearances)

“Obviously disappointed to step outside the AFL program but his attitude to come back and be involved and contribute really strongly again at VFL level with 28 disposals was really pleasing. The nine tackles, I thought his first half in particular was really highlighted by his pressure around the contest. What we did notice, which is great, and exposure at AFL level gives these guys running power and his ability to get contest to contest was much improved from when he was with us last time, which is really exciting to know that he can ideally get the ball, not just in the contest but also uncontested possession as well.”

Max Ramsden (Three goals, 26 disposals, 17 hitouts)

“That’s two weeks in a row Max has been in the top three to four players on the ground. A really strong PB game again, 26 disposals, 12 first possessions, nine clearances and three goals one (behind) from your ruckman, that’s pretty good. If we’re getting that from Max Ramsden each week at our level, he’s progressing and taking the right steps forward in being AFL ready and making match committee really stand up and notice.”

Bodie Ryan (25 disposals, 11 marks, six intercept possessions)

“Found some real form this young man, he’s had 25 (disposals) at 80 percent (efficiency), six score involvements, it’s just a really balanced game. His defensive work was also a highlight, but his composure with ball in hand is the one that stood out to us. Great to see him now put three weeks in a row of good footy together, what you’ve got to do is keep your foot in the door, keep it ajar, so it’s about being consistent now, can he put four, five, six weeks on consistent footy together.”

Seamus Mitchell (24 disposals, seven marks, five tackles)

“Solid again. I think the pleasing thing that we’re worked really hard and Arryn Siposs has done a great job with Shammy is his defensive game and the way he’s able to help us defend the ground with some really strong defend forward moments. And then we know when he’s got the ball in hand, his running power and speed is really exciting and helps generate our offence. A great return from Shammy, he’s putting in some great numbers and strong performances.”

Cody Anderson (20 disposals, six inside 50s, four tackles)

“Nicely balanced game from Cody, 20 disposals, 10 contested, 10 uncontested. Saw some great contest to contest again from Cody and that’s an area of his game he’s trying to work on really strongly with Collo (Andy Collins) at the moment in the midfield. His ability to get contest to contest and use his power, he’s a tough little bugger, he had four tackles. We know what he can give inside the bubble and inside the contest so him finding the balance to get on the outside as well this week was pleasing.”

Will McCabe (Two goals, 17 disposals, nine marks)

“Probably the best game we’ve seen Will play all year, two goals, but the most pleasing thing is he took nine marks, two of them contested, his ability to get up the ground between the arcs, back inside 50, was a highlight of his game. His work rate, his attitude, and his body language had great energy in that and was really tough. Ultimately he gets rewarded by playing his best game for the year, so now it’s about him continually doing that and making sure he keeps those moments going for long periods.”

Matt Hill (Two goals, 14 disposals, four tackles)

“What a player this guy is, he’s our energy barometer, he brings great energy, great excitement, the boys love what he can do when he doesn’t have the ball as much as he can do when he has the ball. His pressure, his speed, his power is a real highlight. Finished with 14 disposals, four tackles and again kicked two goals, with six score involvements, really great return from Hilly.”

Jasper Scaife (One goal, 10 disposals, five marks)

“Quieter day for Jasper, but that happens when you play key forward, sometimes other people get the reward, like Will (McCabe) this week, or Rama and he still contributed really strongly, played second ruck and gave us a great contest. But I think the pleasing thing with Jasper is he hit the scoreboard again, but we’re seeing the areas we’re working on at training with him, myself and Adrain Hickmott are working really closely at training and we’re starting to see that come through his game more consistently now. Again, he just needs to continue to grow that.”

Noah Mraz (Nine disposals, six intercept possessions, four marks)

“So Noah unfortunately sustained a little head knock and left the game in the concussion protocols, so only played two- and a-bit quarters. But he had nine disposals, six of them were intercepts, he’s showing some great signs as a young key defender and one that we should hopefully be really excited about as a whole Box Hill and Hawthorn Football Club of the player he could develop into.”

James Blanck (Five disposals, two intercept possessions, one mark)

“Ever reliable Blancky. Numbers are never massive but tough, strong, so reliable behind the ball, his contest wins, his contest halves, he just gives great effort in everything he does and we’re a better side for what he can bring and we love having him in our team and what he’s able to do. He’s not just continuing to be really consistent in that space and put his hand up for AFL selection in the near future.”

A few VFL player shout outs…

Blake Simondson (One goal, 13 disposals, five marks)
“He’s come in now and played three games, he plays a really crucial role in our team and a really selfless role, where he’s just up and back as a high forward and just got to provide pressure and help link our players. So I want to give a shout out to Blake, a new player to our footy club this year and love what he’s been able to bring.”

Kye Declase (Two goals, 23 disposals, five inside 50s)

“I think we’re mentioned Kye before but we’re just so lucky to have him in our team. He finished with 23 disposals and his ability to be an offensive threat but also get behind the ball and help in team defence is exceptional. And the thing that stood out, and not everyone will see this from watching the game or even if you’re live at the game, but his leadership and experience is something that you can’t measure, he had some exceptional moments on the weekend where he just helped settle us down, along with our other leaders but just want to make sure that’s recognised externally as much as it is internally.”

The Hawks turn their attention their Round 9 clash this Saturday morning, hosting the Brisbane Lions at Box Hill City Oval.

“Obviously a tough clash this week, second v fourth,” said Littlejohn.

“They’re in some good form, beaten some good sides and done it well undermanned, they’ll get a few reinforcements back this week.

“Brisbane got us at Box Hill last year but we’re rapt to get back home, we’ve played one game there this year so we’re rapt to get back to Box Hill City Oval for a really good test against a quality opposition, so looking forward to that.”

VFLW Round 5 Results 

COLLINGWOOD  2.2 3.2 4.3 4.3 (27)
BOX HILL           0.1 0.2 1.5 3.7 (25)

GOALS
Fogarty, Price (2)

DISPOSALS
Cattle (22), Baldwin (19), Stevenson (18), Van Berkel (14)