The Box Hill Hawks have consolidated first place on the VFL ladder on the back of a dominant win at Arden Street on Saturday afternoon. As a result of the victory Zane Littlejohn’s side sit a game clear of the chasing pack having played 12 of their 18 home and away matches.

Despite being the better side for much of the game, the Hawks were made to work hard for their 12-point three quarter time lead and the contest entered the final half-an-hour very much in the balance and very much up-for-grabs.

Ultimately, North’s chances of pinching the win were snuffed out in, arguably, the most brutal 20-minute spell of the season so far.

From the moment the siren rang until the quarter reached time on, Box Hill piled on seven unanswered goals to end the match as a contest in a clinical and complete display.

Just two kicks ahead when the term began, Box Hill kicked 8.1 before the Kangaroos managed a score in response, shutting the door time and again without giving up their scoring threat.

A look at the stats sheet paints a pretty clear picture of the where and how the game was won. The Hawks were +23 inside 50s and +25 clearance across the afternoon, dominating at the source and on the spread to eventually kick away.

Noah Mraz was named Box Hill’s best player on the day, turning in the best game of his young VFL career. The former Dandenong Stingray was superb on his way to a season-high 20 touches and eight marks. Opposed to North big-man Finnbar Maley for large parts of the day, the first-year Hawk more than held his own in the contest and, when necessary, in aid of his team’s overall defensive efforts.

Fellow youngster Cody Anderson was similarly impressive in his midfield role. ‘The Beast From The East’ was his side’s barometer around the ball all afternoon, playing with an intensity which set a high watermark for his teammates. Hard at the pill when in dispute, Anderson’s 23 touches were a season-high, while his nine clearances were bettered by only Henry Hustwaite among all players on the ground.

Speaking of Hustwaite, the VFL’s best midfielder was up to his old tricks yet again. His 28 touches were a game-high, as were his 11 clearances. He further rounded out a fine day by adding five tackles and five inside 50s.

In a game full of compelling storylines, perhaps the best was the return of Blackburn youngster Billy Hicks. Playing just his sixth VFL match, Hicks booted a game-high five goals from 15 touches. Best of all, he kicked these goals in a variety of ways: opportunistic roving, snaps, leads, marks & set shots in what is surely a career best display.

Another noteworthy storyline was the performance of Calsher Dear. Fresh from a fortnight off, the second-year Hawk had 17 touches, kicked 2.2 and hauled in a staggering 12 marks – seven of which were contested – as he moves to within touching distance of a senior re-call.

Last among the Hawks’ listed best was exciting wingman Kye Declase. The former Werribee star finished as the highest rated player on the ground, won 25 touches, took seven marks, had five inside 50s and kicked three sensational final quarter goals as he and his teammates ran riot. 

Saturday’s contest started as most do: in cagey fashion.

North probably shaded the early exchanges, but at each turn Box Hill found the answering goals or defensive rigidity they needed to keep their hosts at bay.

Brayden George kicked the first of the day for the Roos, before the returning Mitch Lewis marked strongly and gave the Hawks fans in attendance exactly what they came for just seven minutes into the match: a goal on return.

Zac Banch handed his side the advantage, only for Will McCabe to snatch it right back as the quarter ticked into time on.

Sam Linder joined in on the act to give North an eight-point lead after 24 minutes, but up popped Hicks to jag back-to-back majors deep into time on to wrestle back the momentum and the lead.

While challenged, the Hawks wouldn’t be headed again.

The second quarter was dominated by the team in brown and gold everywhere but on the scoreboard. Four points were the result of a relentless assault on the Kangaroos’ forward 50 early on and Will McCabe’s second was the one and only goal of a term in which Box Hill kicked 1.5 and North managed 0.2.

The Roos hauled themselves to within a single point within five minutes of the second half getting underway, only for Dear and Lewis to produce a one-two punch of their own to re-instate the Hawks’ 13-point lead.

The two sides would split the four goals kicked thereafter, with Hicks kicking his third and Luke Breust booting a timely first to set-up what felt like a nervy run to the finish line.

Breust’s goal came in the shadows of three quarter time and little did we know, the break and change of ends was the only respite North would have from the onslaught it had begun.

Kye Declase kicked goals two and three back-to-back to begin the last term, before Hicks added goals four and five to his tally a short while later.

Breust’s second was followed closely by Declase’s third and by the time Cody Anderson split the middle the Hawks’ lead was 54-points.

Calsher Dear added a second to his name, before a pair of Zane Duursma goals sandwiched Breust’s third and a well-deserved major from the hard-running, ball-winning Finn Maginness.

All told Box Hill had kicked 10.1 to the Kangaroos’ 2.1 in the final frame to see the game out and secure the four points in stunning, scintillating and superb fashion.

Box Hill return to action next Sunday, hosting Sandringham at Box Hill City Oval from 2:05pm.

Best: Mraz, Anderson, Hustwaite, Hicks, Dear, Declase

Goals: Hicks 5, Declase, Breust 3, McCabe, Lewis, Dear 2, Maginness, Anderson

Disposals: Hustwaite 28, Maginness 26, Declase 25, Anderson 23, Mraz 20, Macdonald 20