Box Hill has sailed to victory in its second pre-season hit-out, defeating Casey by 49 points at Casey Fields on Saturday.
The Hawks started strongly demonstrating swift and accurate ball movement through stoppages.
Young Hawthorn draftee Finn Maginness saw plenty of the ball in the first minutes, controlling the play through the corridor.
Jackson Ross, who was Box Hill’s highest goal kicker from 2019, was back to his best, registering back-to-back goals.
Despite Casey’s best efforts, Box Hill’s defence were impenetrable, led by the experience of ex-AFL recruit Andy Otten, who cut off multiple scoring attempts, keeping the Demons to just three points in the first quarter.
Jesse Cucinotta collected the Hawks’ third goal, pushing them into the first break with a 17-point lead.
Joining the likes of Maginness in the category of talented Hawthorn draftees was Emerson Jeka, who came out in the second quarter to kick his first goal of the day.
Ross continued to show dominance in the forward line kicking his third goal with ease.
Box Hill’s backline was once again unbreakable, with Michael Hartley showing his strength with body on body defence and keeping Casey goalless for the second straight quarter.
At the half-time break, the Hawks had pushed their lead out to 24 points and didn’t stop there with a stronger second half.
The third term saw Ross kick his fourth and final goal of the day, with what is hopefully a glimpse into what the youngster’s 2020 season will entail.
The Demons struggled to get play out of the Hawks’ forward 50 thanks to multiple cut offs from the likes of Lachie Walker and Will Day, Day following an intercept with an impressive goal.
The final quarter was the biggest for Box Hill, registering four goals, two from new ruckman Riley Bowman.
Ned Reeves also secured a fourth-quarter goal, a cherry on top of what was a stellar day out for the ruckman.
The Hawks walked away 49-point victors, in their second hit-out of the pre-season.
Trent Mynott, who was strong through stoppages on the day, said he was particularly impressed with Reeves’ performance.
“Reeves was unbelievable with his tap work,” Mynott said.
“It really helped out the midfielders like myself, Finn, Jones and Deluca.”
Box Hill plays in its third practice match on Sunday 22 March against Essendon, Highgate Reserve at 11:30am.
BOX HILL 11.7 (73) def. CASEY 2.12 (24)
GOALS: Ross 4, Bowman 2, Jeka 2, Cucinotta, Day, Reeves
