Saturday 16 August, 2pm
Batercard Oval
The Box Hill Hawks lost to the premier side in the competition by 35 points on Saturday but didn’t lose any respect in the process with a dogged four-quarter effort.
At times the Seagulls turned on the class and threatened to blow the Hawks away but on each occasion the home side rallied and refused to allow the ladder-leaders easy possession.
It was a game in which the Hawks couldn’t quite get within touching distance with the margin sitting at around five goals for the most part.
Hawk Coach Barry Mitchell felt his side competed well but couldn’t bridge the gap.
“They’re a pretty good side, we lost by six goals but we started well then they got a gap on us and it stayed that way for the day,” Mitchell said.
“You want to compete well but we lost so that was disappointing. I don’t think there was a great deal we’ll take out of the game.”
After an encouraging start to the game for the Hawks, Williamstown quickly piled on four unanswered goals to take a 26-point lead into quarter time.
It was a lead they protected for the entire game and their style of play showed why they are on top of the ladder.
Williamstown’s link up play and ability to break quickly and use the ball with precision is as good as any side in the competition.
All day their forward line worked in tandem almost seamlessly with players leading to all parts of the F50.
Former Hawk Matt Little (two goals), Callum Urch (five) and Patrick Ross (three goals) formed a potent forward trio and their movement made life very difficult for the Hawks’ defenders.
Mitchell said as much and signaled the threat before the game but the Hawks couldn’t keep tabs on the bevy of options the Seagulls had up forward.
“We turned the ball over and when we did that they exposed us, they had some very good players on the lead, like Rose and Little,” he said.
Still each time the Seagulls looked to break away it was the Hawks that pegged back the margin and it was done with their willingness to chase and tackle at every opportunity.
Late in the third quarter Box Hill made a move and got to within 19 points thanks to some excellent defensive pressure from Ben Smithwick and a couple of quick fire goals.
It was goal-for-goal action until Williamstown looked to kill the contest early in the fourth term, stretching the margin to 43 points.
But again the Hawks responded, led by part time ruckman Lukas Markovic who was outstanding yet again, as he has been all year.
Although Box Hill couldn’t get the points it was a terrific effort when really it had nothing to play for.
Digby Morrell continued his transition down back keeping things together when the pressure from Williamstown was immense.
Jarryd Morton didn’t stop trying up forward taking 13 marks and collecting 27 possessions while captain Alister Neville led from the front again with 26 touches.
The only two injury concerns where those of Ben McGlynn who departed early with a leg injury and Mitch Thorp who came off holding his strapped left shoulder.
The game pitted two sides with very different ambitions but the Hawks showed enough, and have done so in the second half of the season, to suggest they are heading in the right direction.
The Hawks last game is away to bottom side Tasmania next Sunday and a win will secure third-last spot while a loss could see Bendigo leapfrog the Hawks if they manage to beat Coburg.
Let’s hope for a positive finish to the season.
Box Hill Hawks: 2.3 / 7.5 / 9.8 / 14.11 (95)
Williamstown: 6.5 / 10.9 / 15.14 / 19.16 (130)
Goals: Neville 3, Smithwick 3, Thorp 2, Morton 2, Boyle, Nye, Suckling, Whitecross
Best: Markovic, Morton, Morrell, Neville, Nye, Pedersen
Hawks In Reserve
Ben McGlynn – 3 touches: went off early with a leg injury.
Tim Clarke – 27 touches, 9 marks: Made a couple of early errors but tackled and harassed players relentlessly throughout to set the tone.
Mitch Thorp – 19 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals: Very solid up forward and found a fair bit of the ball. Goaled with a lovely left foot snap just before half time and went off in the fourth quarter clutching his strapped left shoulder, but did return to the field.
Jarryd Morton – 27 touches, 13 marks, 2 goals: Dished off the ball well and was terrific in the air with 13 marks. His work ethic in the forward line has been superb and he has proved a tough match-up for defenders with his rugged style and ability overhead.
Matt Suckling – 17 touches, 6 tackles, 1 goal: Played in a defensive role and like much of the Hawk defence had the task of containing a dynamic Williamstown forward line.
Travis Tuck – 29 disposals, 5 marks: Has become a marked man in the VFL but still manages to find a lot of the ball. Generally used it quite well and provided a solid contribution.
Josh Kennedy – 18 possessions, 6 marks: Quiet by his standards didn’t have a great day.
Brendan Whitecross – 10 possessions, 6 marks, 1 mark: Played on danger man Patrick Rose who kicked five goals last time the sides met. Kept him to three goals in what became an intriguing match-up and managed one goal himself.
Timothy Walsh – 7 disposals, 10 hit outs: Played backup to the impressive Lukas Markovic and saw little game time.
Tim Boyle – 16 touches, 6 marks, 1 goal: Was pretty good and threaded one through with an athletic snap in the second term.
