VETERAN Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell made a successful return in the VFL on Sunday in Box Hill’s 30-point win over Frankston.
Box Hill all but secured a top four finish with the win at Frankston Oval, bouncing back from last week’s disappointing loss to Collingwood.
The Hawks held the Dolphins goalless in the opening half before conceding four goals in the third term in a scrappy affair.
Three goals to zero in the final term set up the win, however, to take the Hawks into fourth position on the VFL ladder.
In his first game back after a hamstring injury, Sewell was closely watched by the Frankston midfield for the duration of the game.
In three quarters, Sewell picked up 14 disposals and laid four tackles.
It was his first game since suffering the injury in the opening minutes of the loss to North Melbourne in Round 16.
Sewell played a usual Brad Sewell game – tough in the contest, with his hard-work around stoppages of particular value to the Box Hill midfield.
“He got through well,” Development Academy Coordinator and former Box Hill Coach Damian Caroll said.
“He got some close attention from Frankston in terms of their match-ups but he was able to get through his first game.
“His in-close congestion work was really good, he was strong in the contest.
“He was also at times, able to play a pretty selfless role in terms of where he went at the stoppages.”
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar was among the best again with another outstanding performance in the ruck.
Ceglar, who has played 11 senior games this year again pushed his case for a senior recall with a stunning 42 hit out, 19 disposal, seven mark and two-goal game.
“His stats are very impressive – it was a really good day’s work,” Caroll said.
“He clunked a few in the forward line when drifting down as a ruckman.
“There were some more positive steps from him again and watching that game from him on the weekend shows how far he’s come.”
Midfielder Mitch Hallahan was back to his best, winning 28 disposals along with seven clearances, five tackles and a goal.
Hallahan, who made his senior debut in Round 5 this year has had an interrupted last six weeks with injury but has now played the last three weeks in a row.
Caroll said achieving continuity in his football has helped his re-capture the form that saw him win the VFL best and fairest, the J. J. Liston Trophy last year.
“On the weekend’s performance, I think so,” Caroll said of Hallahan pressing his case for a senior recall.
“A couple of weeks ago he’d played only two of five games but now he’s up to four of seven so that consistency of training and playing is very important for him.
“He’s getting his match fitness back to where it needs to be.
“He used the ball a lot better this week and was strong around the clearances.
“He got back to his better form and better footy – we were really happy he could get back to that to push for senior selection with performances like that.”
Box Hill take on Bendigo next Saturday at City Oval.
FINAL SCORE
FRANKSTON 0.6 0.7 4.9 4.9 (33)
BOX HILL HAWKS 2.1 3.3 6.5 9.9 (63)
GOALS
FRANKSTON: L. Potts, Z. Alwan, K. Haretuku, M. Lourey
BOX HILL HAWKS: T. O'Brien 2, J. Ceglar 2, S. Iles, L. Lowden, M. Hallahan, L. Tobin, X. Murphy.
BEST
FRANKSTON: N. Newman, B. Cavarra, J. Newman, W. Lees
BOX HILL HAWKS: M. Hallahan, J. Ceglar, K. Cheney, S. Illes, J. Kelly, T. O’Brien.
