The Box Hill Hawks lead at every change and ran out 18.10.118 to 7.11.53 victors.
The first quarter was hard bruising footy with lots of contested possessions and fierce tackling. A brilliant spring day should have lead to perfect conditions for football but a tricky breeze and over night sprinklers left the grandstand wing slippery underfoot, making it difficult for players.
Box Hill opened the scoring with an unselfish goal with Hawthorn-listed Jordan Lisle spearing it to teammate Sam Menegola, when he could have taken the shot himself with Menegola kicking gun barrel straight. Jayden Hoegel scored the next with a great contested mark in the forward line and kicking truly. Box Hill kept Coburg goalless for this quarter and went in with an 18 point lead.
The second quarter saw Coburg dominate the early play putting enormous pressure on the ball carrier and not letting Box Hill have any free players. Leigh Kitchin played exceptionally well getting in and under and feeding the ball out to his teammates.
Against the run of play he set up the first goal with his ferocity at the ball, getting it out when he had no right to and thumping it in for Jayden Hoegel to run on and put it through. Robert Allen was another standout with his willingness to get to the ball and help his teammates - it was a sight to see.
Box Hill went in with a 15 point half time lead. Baring some inaccurate kicking by Coburg scores could have been much closer at the main break.
Box Hill’s defence was superb all day with the likes of Corey Cassidy, Dylan Van Unen, Jordan Lisle, Liam Tobin and Ben Kennedy spoiling the ball and getting it out of Coburg’s forward line. Jayden Cass scored a spectacular goal in the third quarter weaving past his opposition and snapping it around his body to kick it right through the middle.
One of the goals of the day was by Box Hill’s ruckman Joshua Ralph, marking it in the centre square, playing on and kicking a monster from 60 metres out.
Box Hill went in with a 33 point lead at three quarter time.
Ben Kennedy scored the first goal of the final quarter with a great tackle to earn a free and kick truly. Box Hill’s next goal was by Aaron Johns who, after smothering the ball from the opposition kick in, made an exceptional tackle to gain possession and score.
Box Hill’s midfield has been solid all year and was again inspirational with Leigh Kitchin, Jackson Sketcher, Tim Northe and Xavier Murph, securing the ball and giving the forwards the best chance of scoring from Joshua Ralph’s great tap work.
With 10 minutes remaining Coach Marco Bello sensed the result was beyond doubt and joined his players on the boundary line. This was Box Hill’s biggest quarter, scoring seven goals to make it an emphatic 65 point victory.
Box Hill Hawks Development Team Captain Leigh Kitchin was named best afield in the victory. It has been a sensational year by Box Hill, losing only two games for the entire season.
Box Hill Hawks: 18.10 (118)
Coburg Tigers: 7.11 (53)
Goal Kickers: J. Hoegel 3, S. Menegola 3, J. Cass 2, L. Kitchin , D. Cooper , L. Tobin , J. Sketcher , R. Wilson , A. Johns , B. Kennedy , J. Ralph , S. Cust , R. Allen
Best Players: L. Kitchin, X. Murphy, T. Northe, J. Sketcher, A. Johns, J. Ralph
