BOX Hill Hawks returned to the winners’ list with a comfortable 39-point victory against Richmond Tigers at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday afternoon.
After a disappointing loss to Werribee the week before, the Hawks bounced back in style with a much-improved performance.
The Hawks held their opponents at arm’s length for much of the match, running out 15.7 (97) to 8.10 (58) winners.
Box Hill Hawks Coach Marco Bello said his side’s response this week had been pleasing.
“It was important to bounce back,” he said.
“I know most of the players weren’t happy with a, the result, and b, how they played last week, so to turn that around was super important for us.”
“To make sure we were on the front foot from the outset was important.”
The Hawks jumped out to a three-goal advantage at the first break, and held the Tigers to just a solitary major in the first half.
The hosts narrowly built their lead at each change.
Bello said most pleasing was the way his side capitalised on its chances going forward.
The Hawks had 42 forward entries and converted more than 50 per cent of those into scoring opportunities.
“It was important that we got the footy inside 50, but then once we got inside 50 we needed to make it count on the scoreboard,” Bello said.
“Against Werribee we probably had the same amount of footy and the same amount of inside 50s, but just weren’t able to make them pay.”
Midfielder Jonathan Simpkin starred for the Hawks with 33 disposals, while Bello also praised the efforts of ruckman Jon Ceglar, key forward Tim O’Brien and small defender Teia Miles.
James Sicily also impressed before a hand injury kept him out of the second half, while Bello said developing talls Marc Pittonet and Shem Tatupu arguably played their best matches at VFL level.
The win keeps Box Hill in second place on the VFL ladder, with just percentage separating them from league leader Williamstown.
The Hawks will take on Melbourne’s VFL affiliate, Casey Scorpions, at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday.
BOX HILL HAWKS 3.4 5.6 11.6 15.7 (97)
RICHMOND 0.4 1.7 5.9 8.10 (58)
Goals: O'Brien 3, Lawlor 2, Tatupu 2, Whitecross, Grimley, Miles, Lock, Simpkin, Willsmore, Anderson, Pittonet
Best: Simpkin, O'Donnell, Mirra, O'Brien, Iles, Pittonet
