The Box Hill Hawks have continued their push towards finals, with a 69-point win over Essendon last Saturday,
Senir Coach Zane Littlejohn said it was a solid performance across the board from his side.
“A really professional performance from our group last week,” he said.
“Obviously unfortunately against a weakened Essendon VFL team, with their injuries and the like. But we still had to go out there and perform and play a brand of footy we knew we’d be proud of, regardless of the result.
“I thought the boys did that really well, we had some patches where we were challenged by Essendon and full credit to our boys, we stuck fat to playing a style and brand of footy we want to be known for and I thought we were able to do that across a majority of the day which was really pleasing.”
Before reviewing the individual performances of the 13 AFL-listed Hawks from the Round 16 clash, Littlejohn looked ahead to the upcoming clash with Williamstown.
“Huge challenge this week for us, heading over to Williamstown,” he said.
“They beat us in the final last year and they had a surprising loss on the weekend and will be very hungry to bounce back. They’ll get themselves up to play us like they do all the time.
“It’s a game we’re looking forward to, testing ourselves against a really quality opposition on their home ground in what is a big week for them with one of their players playing his 150th and celebrating their premiership in 2015. So it’s a good test for us over there.”
Henry Hustwaite (33 disposals, 11 clearances, five marks)
“33 disposals from Hus, another arguably best on ground performance. 13 score involvements, 11 clearances, a really well-rounded game from Hus. Defensively, I thought our whole midfield group has some areas of their game that they need to be better in and I thought as the game went on I thought they got better in that, Hus being one of those. Ultimately, his work around contest and clearances was a standout.”
Jack Scrimshaw (26 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, six marks)
“Really solid Scrim, played above the level as we know he does. 11 intercept possessions, 26 disposals, used the ball really well, had some big moments in one on one contests where our whole team defence let us down, but Scrim had some big 1v1 contests to really save the day, which was huge. They’re areas we know he’s obviously really solid in at AFL level so to see him do it at VFL and get some continuity was really pleasing.”
Cody Anderson (25 disposals, eight clearances, four tackles)
“Really solid game, especially offensively, eight clearances, 25 disposals, worked really hard in the contest, which was really pleasing. So he’s had 12 contested possessions of his 25. And just some areas we’re working with Cody on is his team defence, and understanding his role amongst that system but he’s working really hard with Collo (Andy Collins) which is great, and hopefully we’ll see some continual improvement in that area. But a really solid, well-rounded game from Cody.”
Luke Breust (One goal, 18 disposals, seven score involvements)
“Punk, 18 disposals, got nice and high up the ground, some valuable inside 50s, three direct score assists, one goal himself, seven score involvements. A pretty well-rounded game, not the pressure we would’ve loved from Punk in some areas, got missed with a few times inside 50s as well but that happens in the game sometimes, you wear the invisible cape, and Punk might’ve had that on at times. But I thought he worked really hard up the ground, helped really lead our forward in team defence which is important and he got some reward with ball in hand this week.”
Jai Serong (16 disposals, six score involvements, five contested possessions)
“Just a solid all-round game from Jai. Spent majority of the game on the wing, went down back in that last quarter, just showing great flexibility and showing great leadership amongst all roles whether it’s wing or back. Able to play big or small, giving us great run profile on our wings, able to take a mark out there as well. Just a great all-round game from Jai, eight score involvements off a wing, he’s kicked it at 80 percent, just a really solid game and a real leader around flexibility in the group, willing to play any role he can to help the group be successful.”
Max Ramsden (Four goals, 16 disposals, 10 marks)
“Great return from Rama, obviously his 50th Box Hill game so great to get the result for his in there. When you’re AFL-listed it’s bittersweet to play 50 VFL games, but his development, the player he was five weeks ago to the player his is now is polar, he has just improved out of site and had some great AFL experience. And his attitude was fantastic, I thought he was a real love-driver and drove the love amongst out group the whole day. Could’ve easily come back disappointed he’s not playing AFL but he didn’t show that amongst his team and got rewarded, 16 dispoals, eight uncontested marks two contested marks, and kicked four goals, with 11 score involvements was a pretty good day for the big fella. To come back and show that he can play above the level is great and hopefully he can continue to do that and put his hand back up for senior selection.”
Will McCabe (Two goals, 16 disposals, five marks)
“Probably the best game I’ve seen Will play in regards to jumping at the footy and giving a good contest aerially. He did that really well, working really hard on his team defence and having energy in that area of the game, not just energy pure offence. But again provided some great areas in his offence, where he provided a great outlet and had some moments defensively where he was able to get up and out which was really pleasing. So finished with 16 disposals, took a nice contested mark, taken four uncontested marks as well so his ability to get up and out and kick two goals is great reward.”
Ned Reeves (One goal, 40 hitouts, 15 disposals)
“Ned was really dominant game in the ruck, did what he had to do in their and gave us first use, really dominant around centre bounce in particular, which allowed us to kick some crucial centre bounce scores. But the pleasing thing that we’ve loved from Noodle’s game in the past few months is his ability to take marks around the ground, so he’s taken three intercept marks which is huge when you’ve got your big ruckman able to do that. Was unlucky with some inside forward 50 marks, had one free kick paid against him which he was a bit stiff on but still really giving us great aerial presence which is great, as much as he’s given us ruck dominance.”
Mitch Lewis (Five goals, 13 disposals, eight marks)
“As we know, there’s been a bit of talk around Mitch’s performance during the week, five goals one, just a really strong key forward game. And again, regardless of opposition, you’ve got to go out and do it. He’s taken six marks inside 50, three contested marks, ten score involvements, just a really strong key forward game. We’ll talk about his goals and they’ll get highlighted but he had some high work rate moments where he’s up, nearly in defensive 50 helping defend the ground again which is really important and I think it’s actually helping him with his work back inside 50 as well. Great game from Mitch,. People forget he’s a Box Hill premiership player from 2018 and he just comes back and really connects strongly with the group and has a huge respect for the Box Hill programs and we love having him in it, playing with a smile on his face, so it’s a full credit to him.”
Jasper Scaife (Two goals, 12 disposals, four marks)
“A little bit of time in the ruck, not as much as in previous weeks with Rama and Noodle back, but he gave us a bit of support through the ruck especially in the last quarter. Hit the scoreboard, his contest stuff aerially is getting a lot better, not getting outmarked, not running under the ball as much which is the area of the game we’re working on him with and he’s done that and worked really hard, probably had the one contest he’d like again. But the thing is it’s been a lot more consistent at the better side of it which is great. His pressure at ground level has been a lot better, he’s laid two tackles this week, which is a great reward.”
Sam Frost (12 disposals, six marks, four contested possessions)
“Solid. Three contested marks, had some huge wins which is really valuable especially when as I mentioned with Scrim we had some breakdowns in our team defence and Frosty like Scrim, had some big one on one wins and saved us in some crucial times which is really valuable from one of your key defenders. He sets us up really nicely defensively and has some big impact moments which is huge and great buy in from him as well.”
Matt Hill (One goal, eight disposals, three marks)
“Great to have him back. Hit the scoreboard, energy, love, all that’s really important. Now we just want to continue to see him provide the pressure we know he’s able to brig and the pressure he brought pre going out of the team to welcome his first child into the world. So a massive energy buzz to have him in our group, provides great love. What’ we’re loving with Hilly is we’re seeing him get further up the ground at times and he’s starting to understand the role he can play with that, not just pure inside 50 moments which is great.”
James Blanck (Seven disposals, six intercept possessions, four marks)
“So I’ve spoken about Scrim and Frosty having some big one on one wins, Blancky exactly the same, four intercept marks. Had some moments again, where we were beaten in our team defence, and like Frosty and Scrim, Blancky had some big 1v1 wins and saved us which is huge. A few little positional things that he needs to tidy up and action to make sure when he’s in the right spot he stays in the right spot, so that’s an area he’s working on with Sipp (Arryn Siposs) and the defenders. But again, his 1v1 when he's in the right spot and the ball comes in that position he’s very hard to beat.”
A few VFL player shout outs…
Trent Bianco (32 disposals, 11 marks, five contested possessions)
“A solid all-round performance, 32 disposals, seven score involvements, one score assist direct and just a great leadership game for him. Played inside, played halfback, just his calmness with ball in hand and composure was excellent.”
Lane Ward (21 disposals, four marks, three contested possessions)
“People probably don’t realise that Lane only played one game last year, he played the first four games this year as our 23rd player and now he’s just getting picked off merit. He provides great flexibility, he played off halfback this week and went through some vision with Sipp through the week, just on his positioning and a credit to the young man, he’s learnt it so fast and his ability to adapt and works so hard to ensure he provides something for the team. He’s finished with 21 disposals, six score involvements, three rebounds 50s, had some good 1v1 wins and 1v1 halves, so a really solid performance from the young man. We’re very lucky to have him in our program, provides great flexibility, has played in all three lines this year from halfback to inside mid to half forward, to wing so just lucky to have him and the effort he’s providing this great.”
VFLW Round 12 Results
Box Hill 1.1 2.1 3.1 5.3 (33)
Essendon 3.3 5.4 7.6 8.7 (55)
GOALS
J. Matin, O. Fogarty, S. Gibbs, A. Torcasio, E. Stilve
DISPOSALS
A. Prosser-Shaw (17), I. Baldwin (16), J. Matin (15), E. Juneja (14)
