The Box Hill Hawks held on to survive a late charge from Williamstown to win their practice match 9.10.64 to 8.9.57 on Friday afternoon at Whitten Oval.
The Hawks' strongest quarter was their second in which they kicked 4.3 to Williamstown’s 0.1 to set-up the seven point victory.
Hawthorn Captain Luke Hodge played in his first match of the pre-season after returning from a on-going achillies injury, playing in eight minute bursts throughout the first three quarters.
Box Hill started the game well with Ryan Jackson getting plenty of the ball around the ground and scoring the first goal of the game.
Hawthorn rookie Tom Schneider was impressive, marking 40m out from goal and passing off to his captain Sam Gibson for the Hawks’ second.
David Mirra was effective in the back line playing a Luke Hodge-like sweeping role, getting involved in almost every play in the Hawks' defense in the first term.
Young forward Ben Monkhorst, son of Hawthorn's Ruck Coach Damian, was given the whole forward 50 to himself and his opponent as he played in the centre of the Hawks’ attack late in the first term.
Williamstown hurt the Hawks with their run on a counter-attack and led by two points at the quarter time break.
Box Hill started the second quarter well, receiving a free kick in their forward 50 as a result of great tackling pressure which resulted in Max Bailey in the goal square and scoring the first goal of the second term.
Jayden Hoegel scored an opportunistic goal from a snap around the corner early in the second quarter, and followed it up with another goal from a set shot on a tight angle to put the Hawks three goals up.
A piece of play in the second quarter would have the Hawks fans believing that Hodge will return to his best this year.
Earning a free kick in the centre square after putting his head over the ball, he then took his time and slotted it to Sam Gibson in the forward 50 who to put the Hawks four goals up heading into half time.
Williamstown started the second half the better of the two teams, jumping out of the blocks and scoring two early goals.
David Mirra dominated across half back taking a couple of tidy marks early on in the second half.
Ben Kennedy was solid for the Hawks playing at full back, rarely beaten in contests, and taking an impressive contested mark at full back in the third term.
At three-quarter time Max Bailey was done for the day and had both his knees iced. After a solid performance, Hawks fans should be excited to see him in the seniors sooner rather than later.
Williamstown goaled early to suggest a strong home-coming in the last quarter.
New recruit Jarrad Boumann took a pack mark on the wing late in the term and found Monkhorst in the forward 50 who slotted the match winner for the Hawks.
Box Hill’s domination in the second term credited the win; with a Williamstown charge in the last quarter not enough to snatch a victory from the Hawks.
Box Hill: 2.5 / 6.8 / 7.10 / 9.10.64
Williamstown: 3.1 / 3.2 / 5.6 / 8.9.57
Best: Gibson, Mirra, Jackson, Kennedy, Schneider
Goals: Hoegel 2, Gibson 2, Monkhorst 2, Jackson 1, Bailey 1, Kitchin 1
