Preview Round 15, 2024: Box Hill Hawks v Geelong Cats, 7 July 2024, 2.05pm @ BHCO

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The Hawks suffered an upset loss at the hands of Port Melbourne last weekend and will be keen to atone for their surprise loss by defeating the Cats at home on Sunday afternoon. However, this will not be an easy game, with the Cats currently sitting in third position on the VFL ladder, a game ahead of Box Hill, having won nine games to Box Hill's eight for the season so far. The Cats have only lost three times for the season, and have won four of their last five matches, so this will be a tough game for Box Hill.

Box Hill's loss was set up in the first half when they were slow out of the blocks in unfavourable conditions against Port Melbourne. The Borough took a 24 point lead at half-time, kicking five goals to one in the first quarter. The Hawks started the second quarter in better form, closing the game to 10 points half-way through the second quarter, but Port Melbourne steadied and pushed the lead back out to 26 points at half-time.

The second half of the game between Box Hill and Port Melbourne was an arm-wrestle. The Hawks kicked two goals to start the third quarter, but couldn't get the gap under 10 points for the remainder of the third term. Port Melbourne kicked a steadying goal late in the third quarter, which Box Hill did answer back a few minutes later, but Box Hill still trailed by 16 points at three-quarter time, a handy buffer given the conditions. The arm wrestle continued for the third quarter, before Box Hill finally found the ascendancy and the goals started coming. Box Hill got the gap to a point with enough time left in the game to steal victory from Port Melbourne, but the Borough kicked their first goal of the final quarter in the 27th minute mark of the game and that was the last score for the game. While Box Hill would have been pleased to have kept their opponents to two goals after half-time, both goals were crucial goals to concede in the context of the game, especially after the mountain of work Box Hill gave themselves to complete after a poor first half.

In the meantime, a six goal haul to AFL-listed Cats player Shaun Mannagh helped Geelong seal a 15 point win against Sandringham at GMHBA Stadium last Sunday. He was the difference between the two teams, as the Zebras didn't really have a match-up for him. Mannagh had a best on ground performance for Geelong, as he also had 21 disposals to go with his six goals, plus five clearances and he laid 10 tackles for Geelong. Ted Clohesy also caught the eye for Geelong, having 22 disposals and 12 tackles for the Cats, while veteran ruckman Rhys Stanley had 24 hit-outs and 10 disposals.

The stakes are high for both teams. The Cats sit third on the ladder, a game behind Werribee and Footscray, and a win to Geelong plus a loss to Footscray (at the hands of Werribee, no less) would see Geelong go into second place on the VFL ladder. The Hawks sit sixth on the ladder, level on points with Williamstown and a game clear of the Suns, Richmond and Sandringham (who is tenth on the ladder and in the last finals spot). A loss to Box Hill would almost certainly see them slip down the ladder, although they would still be in finals' contention after the round is over, since they are a game and a half clear of Sandringham in tenth. Southport has the bye this weekend, so Box Hill could jump into the top four with a win over Geelong, since Box Hill has a superior percentage to the Sharks.

The game will be streamed on the afl.com.au website, and 3WBC 94.1FM will have a live radio broadcast.

Teams to be named.
 

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It is are we a flag chance this year?
They would need to improve - other teams are stronger so far. Same listed players in the best each week - Ramsden, Husthwaite, Ward & Serong. Not a lot of improvement from Tucker , McDonald or Stephens. Reckon the Box Hill list not quite as strong as previous seasons.

But, yes, we are developing great depth and with a short injury list we are a flag chance.
 
I'll be heading down. Never thought Seamus should've been recalled yesterday, so keen to keep an eye on Serong, McCabe & DGB. Skaife might get a chance if he has a game, & Wingard seems to be the forgotten man when small forwards are discussed. The calf was a minor setback & he too could come into contention if he has a game. There'll be a couple of changes in the AFL side this week & the weather's ideal. Should be a good watch.
 
Box Hill will finish 5-8 this year. Not the case that they are stronger or weaker than last year. The problem is team balance. Hawthorn recruit players to win at AFL level. When you don't have many injuries all the leftover players have to play at VFL level because they can't play anywhere else. That's why the old Development league was important as players such as Tucker who don't really deserve their spot at VFL level yet could learn his craft there and progress through the ranks.

Earlier in the season and last year it was more of a 50/50 split between Hawthorn and Box Hill players creating a team balance that served them well. At the moment as soon as Hawthorn player comes back from injury a Box Hill player is shafted, eg Horner and Thorpe and others get dropped. Imagine if Cal Brown and Parsons were also available where do they go ? The younger Box Hill players never get a chance to develop as they are in and out each week. Look at Max Hall. He was given a chance to play each week, developed and got drafted. How would we know about any others as they never get to play on a regular basis. No wonder so many have left in the past to go to stand alone teams and get a weekly match if they earn it.

I'm an old Mustangs supporter from the late 70's to early 90's. Used to go with my dad to every home and away match (even practice matches). It's not really Box Hill anymore, it's Hawthorn with top-up players. Yes i understand Hawthorn financially saved Box Hill from going down the road of many VFA clubs. It's all about development of Hawthorn players to fill a need and with the current crop of players they are a step below the top teams in the VFL due to team balance.
 
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Box Hill will finish 5-8 this year. Not the case that they are stronger or weaker than last year. The problem is team balance. Hawthorn recruit players to win at AFL level. When you don't have many injuries all the leftover players have to play at VFL level because they can't play anywhere else. That's why the old Development league was important as players such as Tucker who don't really deserve their spot at VFL level yet could learn his craft there and progress through the ranks. Earlier in the season and last year it was more of a 50/50 split between Hawthorn and Box Hill players creating a team balance that served them well. At the moment as soon as Hawthorn player comes back from injury a Box Hill player is shafted, eg Horner and Thorpe and others get dropped. Imagine if Cal Brown and Parsons were also available where do they go ? The younger Box Hill players never get a chance to develop as they are in and out each week. Look at Max Hall. He was given a chance to play each week, developed and got drafted. How would we know about any others as they never get to play on a regular basis. No wonder so many have left in the past to go to stand alone teams and get a weekly match if they earn it. I'm an old Mustangs supporter from the late 70's to early 90's. Used to go with my dad to every home and away match (even practice matches). It's not really Box Hill anymore, it's Hawthorn with top-up players. Yes i understand Hawthorn financially saved Box Hill from going down the road of many VFA clubs. It's all about development of Hawthorn players to fill a need and with the current crop of players they are a step below the top teams in the VFL due to team balance.
hey mate, Just a quick, hopefully helpful, note....

When you write a big block of text like this on the net, it becomes very hard for others to read.

Always good to leave a line space every 4-5 lines...it really helps the eyes follow the script...and then people will be more likely to read your thoughtful comments...
 

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RAMMA - beautiful contested mark. Absolute pearler.

Reaction GIF by MOODMAN
 

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