The Northern Blues pulled off a major upset in Round 10 of the Peter Jackson VFL season with a stirring 36-point win over the Box Hill Hawks at Box Hill City Oval.
In cool and greasy conditions the Blues took control of the match booting 11 goals to five in the second half to run away with the win 15.13 (103) to 10.7 (67) as Shane Goss reports.
It was the Northern Blues third win in a row and inflicted the Hawks third loss in the past four. Exciting Blues young son-of-a-gun, Jack Silvagni, was again in the thick of it, booting four goals for the second week in-a-row and he was well supported up forward by Kristian Jaksch who also kicked four.
Big man Andrew Phillips (53 hitouts, 13 disposals) and Cameron Wood dominated in the ruck for the Blues allowing midfielders Tim Jones (31 disposals) and Jason Tutt (29) to continue their good form this season.
Box Hill had the better of the opening term with Dallas Willsmore (21 disposals) dangerous up forward with two goals and Kieran Lovell (21) busy around the packs. They held a 12-point lead at the first change and coach, Marco Bello, asked his players to remain switched on and to keep their feet in the second term.
The second quarter was a hard slog with just the three goals kicked, two of them by the Blues, to narrow the margin to just four points at half-time. The Hawks struggled to get the ball out of the Blues forward half in the term and the warning signs of an upset were apparent.
Liam Jones put the Blues in front four minutes into the third quarter and from that moment there was no turning back. Jaksch helped himself to a couple of goals while Mark Whiley (28 disposals) and Billy Gowers (27) found plenty of the Sherrin as the Blues went to the final break 23 points ahead.
Box Hill tried hard to reduce the deficit in the last but it was the Blues who finished the better booting the last three goals of the match with Silvagni, Jones and Jaksch all splitting the middle. Hawks defender Kaiden Brand battled hard to try and curb the inform Blues forwards while Jonathan O'Rourke and vice captain Sam Iles battled hard through the midfield.
Blues coach Josh Fraser praised his players in the rooms after the game, stating their application and ability to stifle the Hawks ball movement as keys to their win.
It was a disappointing loss for the Hawks which see them slip to fifth on the ladder. The Blues, after their first win over Box Hill since Round 14 2013, sit just outside the top eight on percentage and will be hoping their momentum can continue following their bye in Round 11.
The Hawks however, need to find some momentum and regroup, before a road trip to Simonds Stadium to face Geelong in a Channel 7 televised match on Sunday.
RELATED STORIES:
CLICK HERE for Round 10 Saturday recap
CLICK HERE for Round 10 Sunday recap
Photo: Shane Goss
Last Modified on 13/06/2016 12:17
