The countdown is on to the top of the ladder clash between Box Hill Hawks and Port Melbourne.
The winner of the match will end Round 8 on top of the Peter Jackson VFL ladder, and enjoy that position over the State game bye weekend.
The matchup could not have been fixtured more perfectly, with the top teams to battle it out in the VFL and AFL this weekend, with Box Hill’s aligned side Hawthorn also in a top of the ladder clash in the AFL against a Port - Port Adelaide.
The VFL Port are enjoying an undefeated start to a season, which is not a strange occurrence to the Borough, going through the 2011 season undefeated, and spending the start of the 2012 also on a winning streak until that was ended by Collingwood in Round 8.
Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres is looking forward to taking on the top team on the ladder, and renewing the recent rivalry with the Hawks which has produced some epic encounters over recent years.
“We are up against the reigning premiers, at Box Hill, and there have been some amazing games over the years.
“We very much see it as a huge challenge and when you are in that mindset you might as well take on that challenge and go as hard as you can, and no doubt Box Hill will be doing the same thing.”
Despite an undefeated start to the season, Ayres believes the best football is still ahead for the Borough, as they find the best lineup with the new additions to the squad over the off season.
“We feel our form has been consistent, while not being at the top of our game.
“I think that is pleasing that there is a lot of room for improvement, and we will need to get that improvement pretty quick to match it with Box Hill on Sunday.”
One player that will be looking forward to the clash this weekend is former Box Hill Hawk Will Johnson. Johnson struggled to gain a regular senior berth at Box Hill, but has become a regular up forward for Port in 2014, with 11 goals from his six games.
Ayres has spoken with Johnson to see whether he can get the edge in the coaching battle with any insider knowledge.
“It is always interesting when you talk to a player when they come up against their former side or sides, and for whatever reason they want to play extremely well.
“We will have a chat to Will, and see what he’s got – obviously he played under Damian Carroll, but you would think some philosophies, game plans and tactics are still there.”
With the return of David Fanning to the side this year, Port will be better equipped to take on the tall timber of Box Hill.
Ayres will be happy to see the name of Jon Ceglar called up for AFL duties, cutting the tall timber by one.
“Certainly last year when we had a nice little lead by nearly five goals late in the third, they got a momentum swing and some of their bigger guys did some damage to us.
“Ceglar was very good in the ruck, and last week he had 26 hitouts, so there is no doubt he has improved, along with Lowden and Grimley.”
One thing Ayres will be hoping for is better accuracy than their final term against Essendon last round. However Port’s coach was able to see the positives of their inaccuracy.
“We always try to find the positives, and when we were kicking for goal it was not like we were kicking from the boundary, we were within where we want them to be, but they did not allow for the wind.
“I guess that is why they call it Windy Hill.”
- CLICK HERE to view the comments of Marco Bello in the lead up to the game
Box Hill Hawks host Port Melbourne this Sunday at 2pm at Box Hill City Oval.
Last Modified on 23/05/2014 17:46