BOX Hill’s final hit-out provided plenty of good news for the Hawks with the emergence of Zac Dawson as a ruckman the highlight.

The 22-year-old has been at the club for four years after being taken at No. 41 in the 2003 national draft.

He played 14 games (two in 2005 and 12 in 2006) mainly as a defender but spent all of 2007 in the VFL playing a variety of roles as he developed physically.

The club rated Dawson as best afield in Saturday’s VFL practice match at MC Labour Park as the Box Hill Hawks overran the Northern Bullants.

Several of Hawthorn’s AFL players were also prominent.

Jarryd Roughead showed that he was ready for AFL action next week with a solid contribution on the wing and up forward while Jordan Lewis enjoyed a typically robust day in the middle.

Both players kicked one goal but only Roughead will be available for round one against Melbourne.

Lewis will be one of four key Hawks to miss the match through suspension. The others are Shane Crawford, Luke Hodge and Campbell Brown.

Ben McGlynn was another key Hawk who got through the game unscathed.

The leading goalkickers were Beau Dowler and Digby Morrell with three each.

The club will assess youngster Mitch Thorp this week after he suffered a heavy knock during the match.