AN OUTSTANDING second half from Ben McEvoy helped Box Hill win their way into a second successive VFL Grand Final on Sunday.

The Hawks defeated Williamstown by seven points in a thrilling Preliminary Final at North Port Oval that produced game-saving marks and tackles and match-winning goals in the desperate final stages.

McEvoy took two towering marks in the final minutes, while a chase down tackle and resulting Luke Lowden goal from the boundary from 50m sealed the victory.

Then, there was the bravery of a pack mark, not too dissimilar to that of Leo Barry’s famous mark in the 2005 Grand Final from young Box Hill-listed player Aydn Kennedy that saved the game for the Hawks.

Such was his courage, Kennedy severely injured his knee when he landed and was helped off the ground by trainers.

After a quiet first half, McEvoy led the Hawks to victory with 16 disposals and six marks in the second half to finish with 23 disposals, seven marks and 45 hit outs.

Former Box Hill Premiership Coach Damian Caroll said his performance again puts him in contention for the AFL Preliminary Final.

“He played an enormous game,” Caroll told hawthornfc.com.au
 

“His ability to take contested marks and compete at ground level was really important for us.

“He certainly did his chances no harm – it’s a hard side to break into but his ability to compete and help get us over the lines was very significant.”

Fellow ruckman Luke Lowden was also outstanding, booting four goals to be the most dangerous forward on the ground.

Lowden, who has been a consistent performer for Box Hill this year impressed not only with his ability to take marks and kick goals but also in his pressure around the ball carrier.

A chase down tackle in the Box Hill forward 50 in the dying moments was critical, as was the resulting goal booted from the boundary to seal the win.

“His impact on the scoreboard was significant but he also rucked really well when Ben (McEvoy) wasn’t in there,” Caroll said.

“One of his assets is that he’s very agile and quick for a big guy, so his ability to help at ground level and support was really important on the weekend.

“He’s been very good for us this year and that goal in the last quarter really helped settle us.

“He was definitely one of our better performers.”

After winning the J.J. Liston Trophy as the VFL’s best and fairest players of 2014, Alex Woodward was again among the best despite copping some close attention from the Williamstown midfielders.

Woodward was pivotal in getting the Hawks back into the game in the first quarter after a slow start, with 12 disposals and a goal for the term.

The young midfielder went on to finish with a team-high 26 disposals and nine clearances along with eight tackles and five inside 50s.

“Alex was really hard at the contest,” Caroll said.

“He got a bit of attention close in but worked really hard around the ball for us.

“It was very pleasing that having won the Liston medal, he was able to come back and play good football at the weekend, which is significant for his development.”

Defender Angus Litherland was also among those to push their case for a spot in Hawthorn’s Preliminary Final team with a good shut down role in defence, while Mitch Hallahan was again prominent in the midfield with 25 disposals and seven clearances.

Box Hill will play Footscray in the VFL Grand Final at Etihad Stadium on Sunday at 2.15pm.

FINAL SCORE
BOX HILL HAWKS 4.2 8.4 12.5 15.10 (100)
WILLIAMSTOWN 4.3 6.3 11.6 14.9 (93)

GOALS
Box Hill Hawks: Lowden 4, X. Murphy 3, Grimley, Sicily 2, Woodward, Willsmore, Cheney, Papadopoulos.
Williamstown: Critchley 3, Ferguson 2, Bese, Clouston, Charleston, Woods, Johnstone, Sing, Fahey, Lambert, Marcon.

BEST
Box Hill Hawks: McEvoy, Lowden, Hallahan, Woodward, Kelly. X. Murphy.
Williamstown: Marcon, Davies, Banner, Lockwood, Bese.