Box Hill finished its pre-season strongly with a 15-point win over Essendon at the NEC Hanger on Sunday. 

Box Hill Senior Coach and Hawthorn Development Coach Zane Littlejohn has given his review of how each of the 14 senior-listed Hawks performed on the day, alongside some special Box Hill shoutouts.

Jack Scrimshaw (24 disposals, 5 intercept marks)

"Jack played for us off the back of a little niggle and his positioning was really good - he finished with 24 disposals and five intercepts too, which is obviously part of his strengths. He had a pretty good output for us, but the real highlight for me with Jack was his attitude towards the game - how he approached it and how he fitted in with the group was phenomenal."

Cooper Stephens (24 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 5 tackles) 

"Coop was pretty solid, I think what we're seeing now with him is a bit of continuity with his game, he obviously played half of the intraclub and missed the match simulation due to concussion, before playing three practice games in a row with us. His clearance work and stoppage work was probably the highlight and no doubt the reason we got him across from Geelong, so he was very impressive. We were really happy with his performance inside the contest."

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Henry Hustwaite (21 disposals, 7 clearances, 7 tackles)

"Henry's clearance work was really impressive - he finished with seven clearances across the day which made him our number one clearance player for the game. I was really impressed with his work around the contest, which was really strong and exciting. He'll look to build a bit of continuity now."

Josh Weddle (23 disposals, 5 tackles)

"Weds was really solid, he showed some great aerial presence and was able to go with his marks and do all that, but then also find a bit of footy with his run and carry. He played a really tough game, he finished with five tackles, so it was really really impressive to see him continue to grow his game. He played across half-back this week which was good for his development. He's played on the wing, and now half-back so he's been able to add another string to his bow."

Denver Grainger-Barras (11 disposals, 5 intercepts)

"Denver was solid, he played a really crucial role for us - he was our only key defender and was able to get five intercepts and start a bit of offensive drive. His comms and positioning around the ground as a defender was really pleasing. This should give him a lot of confidence moving forward. He's been working with Kade Simpson (Hawthorn Defence Coach) and he'll keep working on the areas he needs to improve. I think we saw a step in the right direction."

Max Ramsden (4 goals, 13 disposals, 8 hit-outs, 3 inside 50s)

"Big Maxy kicked four goals which was a great reward for a young man who has worked really hard during the pre-season on his forward craft. What we were able to see from him having some influence as a forward was when he then went into the ruck he also played quite well - so it was almost like he just built up in confidence. He should be really proud of his efforts in that space, now the challenge for Maxy is his ability to replicate that week in, week out. But that was a great output from him, and as anyone knows that's the reward for hard work. He has worked really hard with Chris Newman (Hawthorn Forward Coach) and David Hale (Hawthorn Midfield Coach), and has been a better player because of it."

Seamus Mitchell (21 disposals) 

"Seamus is one now whose expectation within our four walls is growing, he put together another really, really solid performance. All his pre-season practice games have been very good - it's exciting to see where he could end up this year which is really nice. He's got to keep his confidence growing, he's eager to learn. He's put in a lot of work with Andy Collins (Head of Development) and Kade Simpson and his game has been really impressive. As we know, improvement is not linear, he will have his ups and downs, but we've been really, really impressed with him." 

Max Lynch (26 hit-outs, 16 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal)

"Lynchy was solid in the ruck, he had a really good battle with Nick Bryan, who probably got the better of him early. But what was impressive with Lynchy was his ability to work himself into the game - he had three shots on goal as a ruck which is really impressive. The thing with Lynchy, which I've heard a lot of people mention, is his leadership amongst the group in bringing the younger boys, not just our Hawthorn young boys, but also the Box Hill boys along and making sure they feel like they can be themselves in the Box Hill environment is really impressive."

Sam Butler (2 goals, 17 disposals, 4 tackles) 

"Sammy was very good. During my time at the club - this is only my fourth game at the club, but if you include all the match simulation too - this was the best game I've seen him play. He was really impressive. If I'm honest, he started the game a little slow, but he worked his way into the game really nicely. He had four shots on goal - he kicked 2.2 - laid four tackles and had 17 disposals as a high half-forward and provided a lot of energy and movement. Hopefully that gives him some real confidence for the rest of the year to move forward now and grow his game off the back of that."

Tyler Brockman (5 disposals, 1 goal) 

"Brocky couldn't find a lot of the footy, but he had a great impact on the game. He was powerful. I think the exciting thing for me with Brocky is that we're starting to see him use his speed, agility and power in defence so he's getting a nice balance into his game. His output in that space was exciting, so watch this space."

Jack O'Sullivan (17 disposals, 2 goals, 4 tackles)

"Jack worked his backside off - he's a real energy buzzer, he gets around the ground and provides heaps of energy. He loves the pressure, loves to tackle and kicked two goals as a small forward and laid four tackles which is really pleasing and a great outcome for him. He's a great little player."

Jai Serong (7 disposals, 3 inside 50s)

"It was a quieter day for Jai, and probably a frustrating one for him too. He wasn't able to get on the end of a lot of the footy. But one thing you can't fault with Jai was his effort - he's working hard trying to create options. He's just got to continue to work on finding other ways when it's not going his way so he can get himself into the game. So it was a bit quieter for Jai but his effort was at a level where we were pleased with."

Josh Bennetts (6 disposals, 3 tackles) 

"Joshy has a hunger to want to continue to learn and continue to want to pressure - he's a smart kid and sees the game quite well. He had three tackles and applied a lot of pressure forward alongside Sul (Jack O'Sullivan) and Buts (Sam Butler) - they were pressure bunnies down there and brought a lot of energy. He makes good decisions with the ball in hand and I think we saw a bit more of that on the weekend. He hasn't had a lot of the footy, but he doesn't waste the opportunity either which is good."

Bailey Macdonald (9 disposals)

"Bailey was a bit more quieter off half-back, but we saw his weapons which is exciting - his speed, his dash from half-back - we're still seeing that even though he only had the nine disposals. Throughout the game we saw some really good efforts, including one where he went back with the flight - he came off his man, gone back with speed to spoil the ball. We then saw the likes of Denver and Scrim get around him, which is really exciting. Although not big numbers, he still had a really big impact on the game for one of our first-year players."

... and a special shoutout to this Box Hill duo

Cal Brown (31 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances) 

"Cal was excellent, he played as a small defender for us. He was able to shutdown, but also provide a bit of offensive drive. He had six tackles and finished with 31 disposals for the day which is a great output for him. He's someone who has been delisted (from Collingwood), but his thirst to continue to improve and get back to where he, and we, probably feel like he belongs, on an AFL list. It was a great reward for him, he's had a really good pre-season."

Ed Phillips (14 disposals, 4 inside 50s) 

"Ed is ever-reliable. He played his role really well and showed heaps of leadership with his communication. The thing with Ed is that he helps others continue to be themselves - he doesn't try to make them have to be something else. His leadership and ability to work with a younger Hawthorn players and help develop them is great."

Box Hill will commence its home-and-away season against Sydney this Sunday at Tramway Oval in Sydney at 10am.