LONG-TIME rivals Box Hill Hawks and Essendon clash at Box Hill City Oval this Saturday, in the ABC TV Peter Jackson VFL match of the day. Steve O’Brien previews the clash.
After an 11-point win to the Hawks in Round 2, the personnel from both sides have changed immensely. Tom Gordon was the leading goal kicker on the day with four goals back in April, but the early season key forward target for Box Hill has not seen as much senior football over the last month.
At selection, the Box Hill welcomes back captain Daniel Pratt, Liam Shiels and ruckman John Ceglar. The Hawks have done a direct swap height wise, with Sam Grimley into the AFL Hawthorn side, along with Matt Spangher and Jonathon Simpkin also recalled to the AFL.
David Hille, Tayte Pears and Alwyn Davey have earned themselves recalls to the AFL side on an extended bench, producing strong performances against Sandringham last week. They are likely to replace omissions Cory Del'olio and Nick O' Brien who will rejoin the VFL Bombers. They will also regain Josh Freezer who has spent the majority of the year plying his trade for Old Melbournians in the amateurs.
As the Peter Jackson VFL Legendairy Finals Series grows ever closer, these two teams are engaged in intreging battles for the top four (Box Hill) and eighth spot (Essendon). The Hawks sit third spot on the ladder and a win could see them in second spot at the end of the round, with top two teams Geelong and Williamstown meeting Sunday. The midfield for the Hawks appears to be one of the clubs great strengths and was highlighted last week with running machine Sam Iles having 17 possessions, along with Will Langford (25) and Mitch Hallahan (27). Their midfield depth will only be strengthened with Liam Shiels returning from injury.
The Bombers have climbed into the eight at the expense of the Northern Blues with a slender half a per cent difference. Four consecutive wins has seen the Bombers switch from cellar dwellars to possible finals aspirants, and this trip to Box Hill will answer many questions. The improved form at Essendon stems from David Hille’s return to the side giving them ruck strength, and the regular inclusion of Matt Firman who celebrated his 100th VFL match last week with 3 goals. The form of co captain Ben Duscher has been outstanding in the 2nd half of the season, coming off five goals last week in a best on ground performance.
Possible match ups will see former Melbourne team mates Kyle Cheney and Matthew Bate locking horns as they did in the round two clash. David Mirra, who was the hawks best last week, may pick up Duscher when he goes forward, but the big question will be which Hawks player has the height to go with Joe Daniher. The big Essendon forward has been quiet in the last few weeks, but he still could cause troubles for the Box Hill back six, especially with Spangher missing from the lineup. Essendon has used Elliott Kavanagh and Nick O' Brien in run with roles in recent weeks the players they will possibly target include Shiels, Iles and Langford.
There is plenty of feeling between the two clubs at AFL and VFL level, the latter dating back to the early 2000’s in a match at Box Hill in the Kevin Sheedy years at Essendon. The Bombers AFL side had the bye and Sheedy elected to play at least eight regular senior players in the VFL match including Mark Mercuri. It did however produce one of the largest crowds seen at City Oval. Then of course last year when Essendon was aligned with Bendigo they needed to defeat Box Hill in the final round to keep their place in the eight, which they did.
VERDICT: I am going to predict an upset Essendon victory on the proviso that David Hille plays – not being selected in the AFL side - my margin 14 pts
The game will be covered on ABC TV and 3WBC
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 09/08/2013 15:07