Round 4, Box Hill City Oval
Sunday 20 April
The Box Hill Hawks had no answers to Sandringham’s devastating first half of football as they were mauled by 88 points on Sunday at Box Hill City Oval.
Sandringham spearhead and VFL champion Nick Sautner cut loose as he so often does, with seven first half goals to finish with nine for the match.
The ruthless and seasoned Zebras outfit was better in every department in the decisive first half and made the Hawks look second rate.
The physical difference between Sandringham and the inexperienced Hawks side was visible and it showed on the scoreboard too.
The Hawks continued a lamentable trend in that they failed to score more than one goal in the first quarter.
It was one way traffic as Sandy effortlessly cruised to a seven goal quarter-time lead. Their forward line of Ezra Poyas, Michael Newton and Nick Sautner looked particularly potent.
Up the other end Beau Dowler flew for speckies that just weren’t on. In fact, in the first half he conceded four such indiscretions of a similar nature and conceded a goal as a result.
For a side that found great difficulty just entering their F50 this was particularly disappointing.
At quarter time Barry Mitchell urged his players to make their tackles stick and seek retribution for their embarrassing start to the game.
As if the first quarter battering wasn’t enough the Zebras piled on a further 10 goals to two in the second term to effectively kill off the contest.
To make matters worse, Garry Moss’ right shoulder was crushed in a brutal tackle on the wing. He came off wincing in pain in what looked a serious injury.
From ground level Sandringham appeared so fierce it was hard to imagine the second half being any different.
For those with any doubt which Hawks side would show up – the one that staged a stunning upset over Sandringham last season or the one handed a three figure drubbing during the pre season – it was made more than clear with the half-time score line.
Though to the Hawks credit they came out after the main change and put in a much improved effort to restore some parity for the club.
Essentially the sting had already gone out of the game but if not for the Hawks’ resistance the margin could have got even uglier. They played a lot more effective brand of football and outscored the Dragons to reduce the whopping 89 point half-time margin, even if it was only by a point.
The Hawks midfielders were given more room to run and create with Jaryd Morton and Ben McGlynn shining in the second half. McGlynn never stopped trying and had 29 touches, took seven marks and bagged a couple of goals while Morton finished with 20 possessions.
There were a number of highlights in the last quarter which will give the side a little confidence going into Friday’s ANZAC Day clash with Coburg.
McGlynn’s screamer was a pleasure to watch as was Captain Al Neville’s goal from tight on the boundary line. Morton chimed in too; his two last quarter goals came from a rare free kick for the Hawks and a looping left foot goal which somehow made it through a maze of players.
Morton was taunted in a scuffle before three-quarter time and had his shirt literally ripped from his back. He was told in no uncertain terms to “kick a goal” (understandably the real dialogue was unfit for print), but he had the last laugh with, not one goal, but three!
Cameron Stokes made his debut for Box Hill and earned the praises of Barry Mitchell. He was given little space to play the type of football he loves to play but still finished with 14 creative possessions. Like many Hawks players he was hit hard by Sandringham opponents at every opportunity.
Other notable mentions go to Al Neville, David Marcius and Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble or “M&M” as he is affectionately known. He played in a number of positions around the ground and gave his all as usual.
All in all, Box Hill was given, what will hopefully be a valuable lesson on how to play hard, contested football. Sandringham had superior numbers at nearly every contest in the first half and worked the ball away with ease.
If they can keep up that sort of quality for the season then another premiership for the all-conquering side would seem an inevitability. In Box Hill’s defence; very few sides would be able to contain Sandringham based on the form they displayed yesterday.
Box Hill had no answers to a forward line including Nick Sautner (nine goals), Ezra Poyas (five) and Michael Newton (two).
Poyas never quite made it at AFL level but has a history of tearing VFL sides apart. He was dynamic with 31 touches and 10 marks on top of his five goals, his mobility caused numerous headaches for the Hawks’ defence.
The Hawks desperately need a win at 0-4 and will have only five days to recover from this bruising encounter before they meet a Coburg side on Friday with only one win under their belt.
It’s been a steep learning curve for the young side to date but they have been far better this season than they were on Sunday. Lets hope the Hawks can regroup and display the football we know they can play on Friday.
Box Hill Hawks: 1.3 / 3.4 / 5.8 / 11.10 (76)
Sandringham: 8.3 / 17.9 / 21.10 / 25.14 (164)
Goals: Morton 3, McGlynn 2, Morrell, Neville, Gibson, Dowler, Renouf, Stokes
Best: McGlynn, Morton, Kennedy, McQueen-Miscamble, Marcius
Hawks in reserve
Ben McGlynn – The Hawks best player yet again. Unlucky not to squeeze into the Hawks line up but is the most likely to next get the call up. Added zip and drive from the midfield with his 29 possies and also kicked two good goals on the run.
Garry Moss – Came off in the second term with a suspected dislocated shoulder. Had just the two disposals up until that point.
Jarryd Morton – One of only a few four-quarter contributors for the Hawks. Finished with 20 touches – a few of which were costly turnovers – but kicked three goals and was used around the ground in a number of positions to great effect.
Beau Dowler – Gave away numerous free kicks while attempting to take the impossible mark. Had seven touches and one goal.
Josh Kennedy – Typically gritty performance from Kennedy, one of only a few to win the hard ball. Lead from the front and finished with 26 possessions and laid five tackles.
Brendan Whitecross – Needs to get a little more of the ball but impresses when he does get it. Good overhead mark for a mid-sized player. Played mainly across the wing and had nine touches.
Brent Renouf – Dominated the hit outs with 24 and had 11 disposals for the game.
Cameron Stokes – Made his debut for Box Hill, unlucky to be dropped from the Hawthorn lineup. Persisted throughout the match but was given no time or space for his 14 possessions. Also kicked a goal.
Matt Suckling – Played in the reserves loss to Sandy and one was one of their best players with 27 possessions.
Luke McEntee – Returned from injury through the reserves, had a game-high 31 hit outs, eight disposals and five marks.
