Box Hill kicked off its 2023 season with an impressive 27-point win against Sydney on Sunday.

The Hawks boasted seven VFL debutants, blooding Hawks draftees Josh Weddle, Bailey Macdonald, Josh Bennetts, Jack O’Sullivan and Henry Hustwaite.

Additionally Cooper Stephens, who was recruited by Hawthorn during the trade period last year, also donned the Box Hill guernsey for the first time.

Box Hill Senior Coach and Hawthorn Development Coach Zane Littlejohn said he was impressed with how his side responded to the challenges that were thrown at them by the Swans.

"The game was pretty much an arm-wrestle all day and Sydney kept playing an aggressive and attacking style of game trying to match us," Littlejohn said.

"They threw a bit at us and our boys continued to respond and kept finding something and then in the last quarter we found another gear and were able to kick multiple goals in a row and put our foot down and get on top in the last quarter.

"What I was really pleased about was how our boys responded when they were challenged, they really stood up right from our draftees, to our VFL boys playing their first game, and to our experienced players, which was really pleasing."

Read Littlejohn's review on each senior-listed Hawk who performed on the day, alongside some special Box Hill shoutouts.

Seamus Mitchell (30 disposals, 9 marks, 2 tackles) 

"Seamus finished with 30 touches so he had a really good start to 2023. He gave us some really good drive. He started the game a little slow, but pleasingly for Seamus he didn't go into his shell and he continued to build. His middle two quarters were really, really pleasing and he gave us some good run and drive and used the ball well. He again showed that he really belongs and is playing above the VFL level at the moment. The thing for Seamus is that he has to continue to do that now going forward, but we're excited about what he's showing us at the moment."

Ned Long (29 disposals, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances) 

"Ned was exceptional, he was tough inside, his ability to embrace pressure, be clean by hand and get contest to the contest was a real highlight. I was impressed with how Ned attacked and won the contest. He was a key player for us on the day."

Cooper Stephens (23 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances)

"Coop had some huge contests and was very tough all day after getting a couple of big whacks, but he pushed through and had some really good moments around the footy, his contest work around the clearance and his hands were strong. He was a little fumbly early, but he found his feet and was really solid for us. He spent some time forward as well, and he'll just to continue to grow that area of the game. It's really exciting what Coop has been able to show us, and he's got to just keep being consistent now and grow that area of his game."

Denver Grainger-Barras (20 disposals, 11 marks)

"Denver was very good for us down back again. He was really our only key defender for the day and controlled the key post down there, and he took a few intercept marks which was really pleasing. As we know with Denver, he continues to approach it with a great attitude which is really pleasing and continued to provide great leadership again. He had some different match-ups across the day on some taller guys and then some guys more his size. He did a really good job there."

Jack Scrimshaw (14 disposals, 4 marks)

"Scrim came in and only played half a game, but was really solid. His ball use really set us up off half back and enabled us to get organised with ball in hand, leaving our back half. He was really composed with the ball in hand and didn't look flustered and was able to go a few intercepts as well which was really pleasing."

Harry Morrison (14 disposals, 7 marks)

“Harry on his return resumed his role in his traditional wing spot, he was really good and showed some great leadership over the day and was able to settle us down at times with a bit of his calm head around the contest. It was a really nice hit-out for him first up, so we're really pleased for Harry and really happy with his attitude and the way he applied himself. It was great to see him get through and play a really solid game for us."

Tyler Brockman (3 goals, 12 disposals, 3 marks)  

"Tyler started the game exceptionally well, he hit the scoreboard and kicked our first goal of the game which is great. He provided heaps of energy and was really dangerous inside forward 50, he ended up finishing the game with 3.2 and a few score assists - which is what you want from a small crafty forward like that. He showed a bit of razzle and dazzle around the boundary at times, it was just a really exciting game for Brocky. He just continues to be dangerous which is a word I like to use with our small forwards."

Josh Weddle (18 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles)

"Weds had to play a little bit taller at times as a defender this week, but was really strong and had a really solid performance, with some really good one-on-one contests and moments where he was able to get out and run and use his power. He was really impressive, we'll keep him going and his showing some great versatility in the roles that he can play for us."

Jack O’Sullivan (2 goals, 18 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles)

"I was really impressed with what Sull was able to show - he was dangerous up forward, his work rate and his energy were strong and he brought some pressure - he kicked a couple of nice goals, including one from the boundary in the last quarter which really started to get us going and put the foot on the Swans throats and gave us a good advantage in the game. In fact, all of our draftees really impressed with their first hit-out at VFL level against a proud football club in the Swans. It's never easy to get on the road, but how they all handled themselves was really impressive."

Henry Hustwaite (16 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles) 

"Henry worked himself into the game really nicely, he had some great moments around the contest, he stood up and played on ball all day and was really strong in some big contests. Again, he showed some of his weapons with his ball use and his hands around the contest which is exciting for Hawks fans moving forward."

Bailey Macdonald (15 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles)

"Bailey had some great moments, he really showcased his weapons at times where he ran and carried, broke lines and used his speed. He was able to finish some chains this week which was good to see, we saw some really promising ball movement signs from him. For his first game at the level he was really pleasing. We should be really excited about what Bailey's got, he's still got some improvement to go but we should be excited by what he's showing."

Josh Bennetts (1 goal, 13 disposals, 5 marks)

"Josh had a solid game and I really liked what he was able to provide with the ball in hand, his ability to use it really well and be composed was impressive. I think he had three score assists, and hit the scoreboard himself as a high half forward, which was great to see. He's building his ability in starting to understand how we want to play and how he fits within that model and that style, he's starting to really find his feet. It was really exciting to see Josh get some reward for his effort, he's working hard and trying to get better every day."

Max Lynch (10 disposals, 28 hit-outs)

"Lynchy had a really solid game in the ruck, he managed to have three score assists which is really pleasing when your ruck is able to challenge the other ruck opposition by getting forward. His ability to get forward and hit the scoreboard as well, but also bring others into the game when he's there was a stand-out."

Max Ramsden (11 disposals, 2 marks, 8 hit-outs)

"Maxy had another solid performance, although the numbers don't speak the same as his last practice game. He was able to get out and use his run, and like Lynchy was able to challenge the opposition ruck going forward. He had some really solid centre bounce work which is great to see. He'll continue to grow in that area which is really exciting."

A couple of Box Hill shout outs to finish...

Cal Porter (28 disposals, 12 clearances)

"Our captain Cal really led from the front, he had 12 clearances and laid six tackles - it was a really strong performance from Ports which is what we expect now from him, so a big shout out to him."

Jed Rule (4 goals, 5 marks) 

"Jed kicked four goals in what was his first VFL game, which was a great outcome for him. He's trained as a SPP player here at Hawthorn as defender and we've now moved him forward at Box Hill. Every game he's played this year he has hit the scoreboard. So to kick four goals in his first VFL game is a great outcome for him."

With Box Hill fixtured for a bye next weekend, the side will return on Easter Monday at the MCG, with the club to play a curtain raiser for the AFL side against old foes Geelong.