The Grand Final rematch between Footscray and Box Hill Hawks will be the first Channel 7 game of 2015, we preview the outlook for both clubs this year.
Ashley Hansen has inherited the premiership side as he takes over the coaching role from Chris Maple, while Marco Bello enters his second season as coach of Box Hill.
We look at the ins and outs and info that matters on this game:
Footscray
Coach: Ashley Hansen (new)
Captain: Mark Austin/Jordan Russell
2014 finish: Premiers
2014 best & fairest: Brett Goodes
Last premiership: 2014
Alignment: AFL standalone
Notable ins: Alex Greenwood (Western Bulldogs), Meyrick Buchanan (Werribee), Mark Austin (Western Bulldogs), Liam Nash (Gippsland Power), Tom Sharp (Uni Blacks), Mitch Hannan (St Bernard's), Josh Wallis (Calder Cannons)
Notable outs: Tom Gleeson (Coburg), Nick Lower, Lukas Markovic
It was the fairytale season for Footscray in its return to stand alone status last year, winning the premiership after a strong second half of the season. The development of the young Bulldog playing list at VFL level has been highlighted this year with seven members of the VFL premiership team pushing into the AFL side in the early rounds. Ash Hansen takes over the premiership side, and knows the team well, having previously been in a development role with the Western Bulldogs. Both captains have departed in Nick Lower and Lukas Markovic, but Footscray has once again been able to retain delisted Bulldogs in Alex Greenwood and Mark Austin which will benefit the stability of the side in their title defence. Austin will join premiership captain Jordan Russell as co captain in 2015.
Box Hill Hawks
Coach: Marco Bello (2nd year)
Captain: David Mirra
2014 finish: Runners-up
2014 best & fairest: Sam Iles
Last premiership: 2013
Alignment: Hawthorn
Notable ins: Cadeyn Williams (Richmond), Matthew Burt (Eastern Ranges), Xavier Dimasi (Assumption College), Chris Jones (Eastern Ranges), Billy Murphy (Northern Knights), Sam Switkowski (Northern Knights), Matthew Traynor (Eastern Ranges)
Notable outs: Brandon Wood (Frankston), Tom Goodwin (Coburg), Tom Miles (Coburg), Corey Cassidy (Vermont), Kalem Post (Frankston), Matt Northe (Coburg) Xavier Murphy, Luke Andrews
Departures are at a minimum for Box Hill Hawks, with added depth again to AFL aligned side Hawthorn to only benefit the side. The Hawks have again focused recruiting on Eastern Ranges and TAC Cup players, also adding Caydm Williams from Richmond to add utility experience to the 2015 lineup. The Box Hill Hawks forward line this year will be jam packed with Peter McEvoy pushing for senior selection after winning the leading goal kicker award in the Development League last year, and Tim O’Brien, Sam Grimley and possibly Ryan Shoenmakers and David Hale in there as well. They have lost a number of fringe senior players to opposition VFL clubs, but still have the depth of talent to be a top four contender again this year – defeating Northern Blues in a practice match with a full list of Box Hill listed players.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
TV
Channel 7: Tune to Channel 7 from midday Saturday for live coverage of this match.
Radio
3WBC: Listen to 94.1fm or www.3wbc.org.au for a live call of the game, with prematch coverage starting at 11am.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Footscray Bulldogs 4.2, 7.4, 10.7, 16.13 (109)
Box Hill Hawks 4.2, 7.3, 11.7, 13.9 (87)
GOALS
Footscray Bulldogs :
L. Jones 5, T. Dickson 2, J. Redpath 2, T. Young 1, J. Tutt 1, D. Pearce 1, T. Campbell 1, J. Grant 1, M. Fogarty 1, C. Howard 1
Box Hill Hawks :
J. Sicily 3, M. Hallahan 2, B. Ross 2, S. Collins 1, D. Willsmore 1, L. Lowden 1, A. Woodward 1, S. Grimley 1, W. Hartung 1
BEST
Footscray Bulldogs :
B. Goodes, L. Jong, L. Jones, T. Campbell, M. Fogarty, S. Darley
Box Hill Hawks :
M. Hallahan, J. Sicily, W. Hartung, A. Litherland, B. Ross, S. Iles
Last Modified on 16/04/2015 16:05
