Box Hill has secured a 50-point victory over North Melbourne in Round 5 at Fenjiu Stadium. The triumph comes off the back of consecutive wins so far this season for the Hawks.
It was a shaky start to the game as North Melbourne seemed to trap the ball in its forward half for the opening minutes of the first quarter.
However, star forward Tamara Luke was able to take a strong mark and booted Box Hill’s first goal of the match, igniting the spark amongst the playing group.
A crafty goal from AFLW forward Hayley McLaughlin followed shortly after to put the Hawks in the lead.
Luke then took another strong grab right on the goal line and kicked her second for the game, heading into the first break with a five-point lead.
The momentum stuck the Hawks’ way in the second term where the team was able to dominate defensively. However, both teams struggled to convert on the scoreboard for the first half of this term.
Dominant AFLW forward Bridie Hipwell secured her first goal of the game, which set her up to play her best match so far this season.
Sophie Locke was able to follow up shortly after, snagging her first goal for the season.
Rosie Dillon got her first on the scoreboard, kicking a long-range shot to take Box Hill into the main break with a 27-point lead.
The third quarter began with yet another brilliant display by Luke, taking another contested mark and booting her third for the day.
Jess Matin was able to slot her first shortly after with a set shot, further extending the Hawks’ lead.
Emily Everist followed up after, snapping the ball and coming off with her first major of the afternoon. This left Box Hill with a massive 40-point lead going into the final quarter.
The fourth term saw play more evenly spread throughout both teams. However, the Hawks were able to capitalise on their inside 50s to secure two more goals in this quarter.
Hipwell proved her dominance in this game once again by snagging her second goal early on in the quarter.
A shuffle of the magnets saw Gabby Collingwood move into the forward line for the first time this season, kicking her first of the afternoon and for the year.
Strong defensive efforts were also on display throughout the afternoon. Laura Stone, Ainslie Kemp and Matilda Van Berkel stood out with their run and carry off half-back to help propel the ball forward.
Box Hill will now get ready to face off against the Sydney Swans at Fenjiu Stadium next Sunday, commencing at 3:35pm.
Box Hill 3.0 3.5 3.2 2.4 (77)
North Melbourne 2.1 0.1 1.1 1.0 (27)
Best: Luke, Hipwell, Baskaran, Dillon, McLaughlin
Goals: Luke (3), Hipwell (2), McLaughlin, Matin, Everist, Dillon, Collingwood
Disposals: Baskaran (25), Hipwell (19), Dillon (18), Spamer (16)
