2pm, Monday 9th June
Box Hill City Oval
THE BOX HILL HAWKS will be ready to start afresh in their Queen’s Birthday clash on Monday against the Bendigo Bombers at Box Hill City Oval.
The Hawks had a week off last week, although Captain Al Neville and Steve Kenna represented Victoria against South Australia.
Box Hill were demoralised two weeks ago against Williamstown at Burbank Oval; after being down by only five points at half time, the young side conceded 10 of the last 11 goals to go down by 63 points.
Beau Dowler kicked four goals and Lucas Markovic two, while Patrick Rose booted five for the winners.
Bendigo sits two spots above the winless Hawks on the VFL ladder, but will be just as desperate for a win after being comprehensively beaten in their Round 8 clash with the Coburg Tigers.
HAWK STEVEN DANIHER said that the players were staying positive and felt a win was just around the corner.
“We’re just getting better and better,” he said, “we just need to put it all together and a we’ll get a win on the board.”
“Definitely the week off helps, even if just to freshen up a bit.”
But Daniher said he was expecting a tough challenge from Bendigo, despite their season to date:
“I reckon it’ll be a good game. They’re in a pretty similar situation to us, just looking for a win, so they’ll come out raring to go.”
Head to head
Played 12: Box Hill 9, Bendigo 4
Bendigo prevailed in the sides’ only clash last year, winning 22.10.142 to 12.8.80 in Round 9 at a chilly Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Mitch Thorp (three goals) and Brent Renouf were the Hawks’ best players, although the side’s second-half fade-out was again costly, after having been down by two points at the main break.
Reserves
The Reserves sides meet on Monday at Box Hill City Oval, kicking off at 11.10am.
Both sides are on the rebound after 100-point losses in Round 7.
The Hawks were thumped by Williamstown last round, conceding 25.20 while only scoring 10.10 themselves.
However Bendigo’s loss was even more humiliating, the Bombers going down 7.3.45 to Coburg’s astonishing 30.32.212 at Coburg City Oval.
Box Hill scored a comfortable win when the sides last met, prevailing 11.15.81 to 7.14.56 on the back of five goals from Jason Cook.
Get down to City Oval and throw your support behind the brown and gold. The match starts at 2pm on Monday. Go Hawks!
