A Grand Final drought will be broken for the winner of the Preliminary Final between Box Hill Hawks and Werribee Tigers.
FOR the first time in a long time, a Grand Final appearance awaits the victors of the clash between Box Hill Hawks and Werribee Tigers.
Box Hill Hawks haven’t played in a Grand Final since 2003 while Werribee’s last appearance at the big dance was in 2005.
And, they weren’t memorable appearances. Williamstown handled the VFL Hawks while Sandringham added Werribee to its list of scalps during its three-peat.
Both clubs have to delve back even further for their last premiership.
‘Super’ coach Donald McDonald led Box Hill Hawks to its first ever Division 1 flag in 2002 when a much younger John Baird was the Norm Goss Medalist.
Ironically, McDonald was playing coach when Werribee won its last premiership in the controversial ’93 Grand Final against Port Melbourne in a match marred by fights and spectators spilling and fighting on the ground.
With that as a backdrop it’s quite apparent both clubs have much to play for in more ways than one.
Box Hill Hawks come into the match on the back of its strong win in the Qualifying Final against Williamstown, which subsequently rebounded to crush Port Melbourne.
So, the formline is there.
So, too, a convincing win against Werribee in the club’s only meeting during the home and away season.
Box Hill Hawks came away from its trip to Avalon Airport Oval with a 28-point victory.
It was against a Werribee team that included Robbie Tarrant, Majak Daw and Jake Wilson. None of that trio will be on the field at North Port Oval.
But, Werribee didn’t have Ben McKinley and Ben Brown, both key forwards who provide strong targets.
Box Hill Hawks had Brendan Whitecross and Matt Spangher in its team. Whitecross and Spangher won’t play, but it was announced during the week Taylor Duryea has been given approval to play.
Box Hill Hawks also regain captain Daniel Pratt who didn’t play against Williamstown.
Werribeewill roll with the same squad that has seen them win an Elimination and Semi Final in the past two weeks.
The VFL Tigers prime movers are Jarred Moore, Liston Trophy winner Ben Ross, ex- Sydney Swan Brett Meredith, ruckman Daniel Currie and its multi-pronged attack of Messrs Brown, McKinley, Warren and Addam Maric.
While Box Hill Hawks obviously boasts this year’s Liston Trophy winner Mitch Hallahan, veteran Hawk Michael Osborne, Sam Iles and ever-consistent Kyle Cheney, it doesn’t have as many profile players as Werribee.
That will suit Box Hill Hawks coach Damian Carroll just fine. These are the same players that have taken the club into the Preliminary and could take them into a Grand Final.
Photo: Jenny Owens
Last Modified on 13/09/2013 11:48