By Daniel Dufty
A brilliant five goal haul from forward Cameron Pederson has given Box Hill its first victory of the season, beating the Northern Bullants by 16 points.
Pederson booted three of the Hawks four final term goals to deliver newcomer Brendan Bolton his first victory as coach. Co-captains Steve Kenna and Lukas Markovic were strong contributors. For Bullants supporters, Shaun Hampson was very good all day. Lisle and Schoenmakers also showed great promise and look to be great pick-ups for the Hawks.
After a slow start and low scoring in the first five minutes, Andrew Carrazzo drilled a perfect pass to Jason Saddington placing the Bullants on the board after an error from Neil for the Hawks. Impressively, Carrazzo minutes later tasted his own success kicking the football through the sticks with a delightful snap from the boundary. Ben Smithwick got the Hawks on the board with two quick goals, while the Bullants were looking to charge early. As Box Hill moved the ball well in and throughout the middle, the Bullants had the upper hand three goals to one.
This was short lived, as Box Hill got the ball rolling. Gibson through a free kick, got it off to Lisle and from a magnificent set shot Kennedy brought the Hawks right back into the game. Box Hill's attacking and physical presence on the game was prominent with the team 5-0 ahead on free kicks. With four goals in time on, the Hawks had the running game going, leaving the Bullants behind.
Accurate in the first with 6.1 the Hawks led by 10 at the first change. Defensively the Hawks had the Bullants on a string in the latter part of the first. With an early goal in the 2nd, the Bullants controlled the quarter with Garlett setting up Saddington returning with his second major. With the Bullants in control for the some time, Schoenmakers was given a handy free kick after being pushed out of the ruck contest by O'hAlpin. A goal here led to goals from Suckling and Bull who was excellent up forward. An even quarter with 4.2 a piece from scoring shots, everything Box Hill did the Bullants seemed to have the answers.
With the tempo and possession in the Hawks favour, Gibson was instrumental in the middle. Clogged the Bullants forward line; the Hawks defence worked well together limiting their disposal in the fifty. For the Bullants, Heath Scotland across the defensive fifty continued to find the ball and make his mark. Throughout the quarter the lead stayed around nine-points. Kennedy once again in the action set up Pederson in the square kicking his second goal for the game. Running out the quarter, Ed Curnow proved handy with his strength and physical prowess over the football.
A four point difference separated the teams, though this was short lived. Pederson's dominance on the game was the difference with three of the four goals of the final quarter. Yze was lively setting the team up well through the midfield and the leadership of duo Kenna and Markovic who controlled much of the ball. The Hawks well and truly over the line continued to apply the pressure. While the Hawks took control, Scotland set up Brad Fisher who kept the Bullants respectability on the board.
Box Hill Hawks next have Coburg Tigers at Box Hill City oval on Saturday 25th April in the traditional Anzac Day clash. Northern Bullants play host to Port Melbourne at NAB Oval.
Box Hill Hawks 6.1 10.3 13.6 17.9 (111)
| Northern Bullants 4.3 8.5 12.8 14.11 (95)
GOALS:Box Hill Hawks: Pedersen 5 Smithwick 3 Bull 2 Kennedy 2 Schoenmakers Boyle Kenna Iles Gibson
Northern Bullants: Saddington 3 Bannister 2 Anderson Austin Carrazzo Gianfagna Fisher O'hAilpin Hampson Boundy Iacobucci
BEST:Box Hill Hawks: Pedersen Kenna Gibson Iles Boyle Curnow
Northern Bullants: Carrazzo Hampson McCorkell Anderson Scotland Ellard
REPORTED PLAYERS:Box Hill Hawks: Nil
Northern Bullants: Nil
Last Modified on 20/04/2009 11:43