The Box Hill Hawks’ 2024 campaign has come to a premature end, falling to Williamstown in Saturday afternoon’s Elimination Final.

The 28-point defeat drew the curtain on a season in which the Hawks fielded 53 players and qualified for a sixth finals series in succession, but will no doubt sting well into the summer.

In front of a pack City Oval crowd and on a day in which conditions would be key, it was Williamstown who took early advantage of a strong breeze to the scoreboard end.

The visitors, who are no strangers to playing in swirly conditions, set the game up inside 10 minutes via goals from ex-Box Hill premiership player James Cousins and a quick-fire double from the boot of Corey Ellison. 

It might have been worse if not for some scrambling and stout defence from the Hawks’ rearguard, who battled manfully to limit the Seagulls to 3.5 for the term. 

Williamstown started the second term on the front foot and nabbed a goal against the run of play to set up a 28-point lead before Box Hill settled into the contest and began to take control on the back of improved possession and field position. 

Despite this, with 16 minutes played with the breeze at their backs, the Hawks were frustrated to manage just four behinds. The boys in brown and gold kept pushing and were eventually rewarded by a superb set shot finish from Jake Arundell – the hosts’ first of the day.

Hoping to consolidate on this, the Hawks pushed on in search of the goals that would bridge the gap – but were made to wait until Nathan Philactides’ magnificent effort after 26 minutes. Having marked well on the lead, the youngster went back and punched his drop punt into the breeze and just inside the left-hand goal post.

It hadn’t been the half the Hawks wanted, but Zane Littlejohn’s men had found some rhythm late on to draw to within 14 points at the long break.

When play resumed goals from Max Ramsden and Jack O’Sullivan arrived in quick succession, handing Box Hill the perfect start to both the second half and a quarter in which they’d kick into the wind.

Sadly, two points was as close as the hosts would get.

Ellison’s third began a run five Williamstown behinds to inch the lead out to 14 points, before Brodie McLaughlin kicked goals on 20, 28 and 30 minutes to hand his side a 31-point lead with one to play.

Needing to double their score to keep their season alive, Box Hill’s Daniel Wood rose highest and kicked truly to give his side hope, but the all-important next goal wouldn’t arrive for another seven minutes – and when it did, it came from the boot of Williamstown’s Jack McHale.

Thirty points down and running out of time, Finn Maginness and Josh Ward split the middle two minutes removed from one another to pull their side within three goals. But again the Seagulls managed the situation expertly, slowing the game down and, when the chance came their way, dealing a dagger to the Hawks’ hopes of staging the greatest of great escapes. 

Nathan Colenso kicked the sealer on 24 minutes and Will Fordham finished things off once and for all four minutes later.

Box Hill veteran backman Stu Horner was recognised as his side’s best on the day for his 21-disposal, eight-mark performance, while fellow defender Jai Serong capped an excellent campaign at VFL level with yet another superb performance alongside him.

Serong’s stat line included 29 touches, but it was his game-high 10 marks and 15 rebounds 50s that caught the eye. 

The midfield duo of Finn Maginness and Josh Ward, both of whom would no doubt be eyeing a spot in Hawthorn’s elimination final team on Friday, were key contributors on the day, too. 

Maginness’ game-high 31 touches and nine clearances was underpinned by seven tackles, six clearances and a well-taken goal while Ward finished with 25 touches, seven marks, seven inside 50s, six tackles and a spectacular goal. 

Dashing half-back Seamus Mitchell attempted to inject some run and carry to the Hawks’ back half, tallying 23 disposals and four rebound 50s for the day, while Box Hill captain Cal Porter, celebrating his 100th VFL match, finished his 2024 campaign in a typically reliable fashion. A heart and soul player, ‘Ports’ worked tirelessly from the first siren to last with a variety of midfield assignments to have 15 touches, lay four tackles and win four clearances. 

The Box Hill Hawks wish to acknowledge the wonderful contributions of its staff, players, sponsors, partners and supporters throughout 2024. The Club cannot do what it does without the tireless work of countless people behind the scenes and the support of our community.

The Club will next convene to celebrate the season that was on Thursday September 26th for the Col Austen Trophy. You can purchase tickets for the event via this link.

Best: Horner, Serong, Maginness, Porter, Ward, Mitchell 

Goals: Wood, Ward, Ramsden, Philactides, O’Sullivan, Maginness, Arundell

Disposals: Serong 30, Maginness 30, Ward 26, Mitchell 22, Horner 20, Ed Phillips 19, Hustwaite 19, Arundell 19