The Box Hill Hawks put together a strong performance on Saturday morning to see off the challenge of Southport, win a 14th game on the season, retain top spot on the VFL ladder and lock away a top two finish.

The 44-point victory over the Sharks sets up a tantalising penultimate round match-up with the second-placed Bulldogs next weekend, with Box Hill currently a game clear of the ‘Scray with two to play.

There’d been talk of rain in the build-up, creating a cast of hobbyist meteorologists within the Box Hill camp.

Come Saturday morning there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, meaning two of the best teams in the competition could go toe-to-toe in the best conditions possible. 

Box Hill trailed for just four minutes of the contest all told, recording 50 more disposals – all of which were handballs – and eight more inside 50s along the way.

The brown and gold’s dominance was best underscored by the performance of the midfield brigade who, fed by the outstanding Ned Reeves, finished with 22 more clearances from 26 more hit outs and, forward of the ball, were able to generate 27 scoring shots to 13.

So while an arm wrestle for large parts, when the Hawks finally broke the game open in the final term it felt like it had been coming – or at least building – for much of the contest. 

James Blanck was named the Hawks’ best on the day for his job on former Lion and Cat Wylie Buzza. With Sharks’ spearhead Hugh Dixon missing a second match in succession, Buzza loomed as the hosts biggest threat inside 50 and Blanck was superb in keeping him to just six disposals and two goals – the second of which came at the 28 minute mark of the final term.

For his part, ‘Blancky’ won 10 touches and took five marks in an excellent individual display.  

Jai Serong’s consistent season continued apace, with the versatile swingman deployed in the back half to support his side’s defensive efforts and aid rebound out of the back 50. ‘Sez’ ended the afternoon with 25 disposals, a game-high 10 rebound 50s and seven marks it yet another classy and assured display.

Speaking of which, Cam Mackenzie was excellent through the middle of the ground on his way to a game-high 28 touches. ‘Frenchie’ rounded out his day’s work with five clearances, five inside 50s, five tackles and five marks – and added seven score involvements for good measure. Clean at the coalface and a conduit in transition all afternoon, Mackenzie’s quality was on full display from first siren to last.

Ned Reeves followed up his best afield display a fortnight ago away to Williamstown with another imperious performance. The VFL’s premier ruck tallied 19 touches and game highs in hit outs (32), score involvements (8), clearances (9) and contested possessions (15). As if his impact wasn’t good enough already, the big ‘Noodle’ also booted a vital goal in the shadows of half-time.

Stand-in skipper Stu Horner was handed the job on the dangerous Max Pescud, limiting the Sharks’ no.42 to 14 touches while winning 18 of his own. Coming into the match, Pescud had kicked 25.21 on the season, but was kept goal-less for the first time since round eight. One of Box HIll’s most reliable performers for a long while now, Horner’s form and leadership has been super in the absence of captain Cal Porter and, potentially, the best it’s been in his time at the Club.

Lastly among Box Hill’s best was Max Ramsden. ‘Ramma’ started in phenomenal touch, kicking 1.3 from six touches and four marks in the first term and ultimately finished the contest with 3.3 from 16 touches, seven score involvements, six marks, four clearances.

Other notable performances included Changkuoth Jiath, who bounded out of half-back all afternoon on his way to 24 disposals and nine marks; Jasper Scaife, who booted three goals from 15 touches and a team-high 10 marks; Sam Frost, who contributed 2.1 from 13 disposals and seven marks; small forward Jake Arundell, who added three goals, four inside 50s and four marks from 12 touches; and, lastly, Trent BIanco who was busy and creative back of centre and around the ball as he won 27 touches, had five inside 50s, two rebound 50s and five score involvements.

Those who watched the Hawks’ last trip to Fankhauser Reserve might’ve been worried after Taine Dawson opened the scoring for the hosts after just 39 seconds. Last year the Sharks gapped Box Hill with a four-goal opening salvo – a burst from which Zane Littlejohn’s men never really recovered.

This time around things were different. 

Jasper Scaife marked well and kicked truly to tie things up and the Hawks were never headed. 

Max Ramsden kicked his first of three for the day after 10 minutes, only for Josh Gore to find one in reply for the Sharks.

The hard-running and hard-working Blake Simondson kicked a superb running goal after 22 minutes, before Wylie Buzza kicked the first of his two goals for the afternoon two minutes later.

A pair of minor scores off the boot of Max Ramsden sandwiched a Sam Frost major as the Hawks headed to the first break deserving of their nine-point lead.

The teams went 11-and-a-half minutes without a goal to start the second term as the game became a real tussle between the arcs. 

Harry Sullivan found the breakthrough for Southport, only for Jasper Scaife to cancel it out with a long range effort a short while later – his second of the contest. 

Dawson chimed in with a second of his own to cut the Hawks’ lead back to four points entering time on, only for Ned Reeves to work his opponent under the ball at a boundary throw in, snaffle the pill and snap truly from close range the next time Box Hill meaningfully attacked.

With both sides in search of a positive finish to the quarter, it came via the sure hands and right boot of Sam Frost. The veteran swingman marked well overhead and steered his shot through the heart of goal in the shadows of half time to send the sides to the rooms separated by 15-points.

When play got back underway the Sharks went on the attack, perhaps hoping the Hawks might be physically wilting in warmer-than-expected conditions.

A return of 1.2 was the result of 10 minutes of control, but when Ramsden and Arundell found back-to-back majors Box Hill had suddenly scooted out to a game-high 20-point lead.

Former Box Hill development prospect Riley Bowman kicked his first of the day on 22-minutes to give his side a lifeline, and the Hawks might’ve set an insurmountable last quarter run chase but for a pair of minor scores as the term neared its completion. 

16-points to the good with one to play, knowing victory would confirm both a finals berth and a top two finish, Box Hill were handed the perfect start when Jasper Scaife kicked a sensational long-range goal after just 46 seconds.

Arundell booted a second for the day after six minutes to hand his side a 28-point lead and by the time Changkuoth Jiath drifted forward to create an overload and pounce on a two-on-one in the goal square the points were settled.

Ramsden and Arundell produced their third goals of the afternoon to cap a scintillating five goal burst – with Arundell’s dribbling effort from 45m surely nailed on for goal of the day and, perhaps, the round. 

Buzza kicked a late consolation to trim the Hawks’ lead from 50 to 44-points, but it was well and truly Box HIll’s day. 

The table topping Hawks return to action next Saturday afternoon at Box Hill City Oval, hosting the second-placed Bulldogs from 2:05pm.

Best: Blanck, Serong, Mackenzie, Reeves, Horner, Ramsden

Goals: Scaife, Ramsden, Arundell 3, Frost 2, Simondson, Reeves, Jiath

Disposals: Mackenzie 28, Bianco 27, Serong 25, Jiath 24, Butler 22, Reeves 19, Hustwaite 19