WILLIAMSTOWN and Box Hill Hawks are no strangers when it comes to Development League Grand Finals.
Box Hill Hawks has played in the Development League Grand Final is every season except one stretching back to 2006.
During that extraordinarily consistent and strong period, Box Hill Hawks has claimed premierships in 2006, 2009-10-11.
It lost last year’s Grand Final by seven-points against Coburg Tigers after holding a 13-point lead at three quarter time.
While Box Hill Hawks has been the most dominant Development League team since 2006, Williamstown hasn’t been too shabby.
The Seagulls defeated Box Hill Hawks in the 2008 Development League Grand Final.
And, Williamstown claimed the 2002-03 and ’05 Development League premierships.
It is a credit to both clubs for the time and effort they put in developing young players.
Williamstown has been the standout team in the Development League this season. It lost just two games during the home and away season and its percentage was a whopping 238 per cent.
Conversely, Box Hill Hawks, which finished second on the ladder, won 12 games, but its percentage was 107 percent.
As the vagaries of the draw had it, Williamstown emerged from its first meeting against Box Hill Hawks in Round 12 with a 45-point win.
It is worth noting that Williamstown team included Western Bulldog Patrick Veszpremi, Anthony Anastasio and Fletcher Roberts who all played in the Seagulls’ Semi Final win against Port Melbourne last week.
None of that triumvirate will play in the Development League Grand Final.
But, what is more concerning for Box Hill Hawks is at its most recent meeting against Williamstown – in Round 17 - the Seagulls belted them by 129-points. Ouch!
However that Seagulls team included Jack Johnstone, who has become a revelation since he’s made his way into the seniors late in the season, Leigh Masters and Kirby McConnon.
That’s another trio Box Hill Hawks shouldn’t have to worry about this week as all three played in Williamstown’s senior Semi Final victory.
But, how does Box Hill Hawks turn around its form in such a short time.
Williamstown marched into the Grand Final in emphatic fashion. It defeated Port Melbourne, which included former VFL State player Billy Burstin and regular senior player Ryan Gale, by 96-points.
Box Hill Hawks advanced to the Grand Final on the back of a 31-point win against Northern Blues.
With both clubs senior clubs involved in Preliminary Finals the best available players will be involved, but Williamstown goes into the match an overwhelming favourite.
WHEN: Saturday September 14, 10:45am
WHERE: North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
WHO: Williamstown vs Box Hill Hawks
Photo: Jenny Owens
Last Modified on 10/09/2013 17:07