The Box Hill Hawks’ hot start to 2025 continued on Sunday afternoon with a 38-point win over Port Melbourne in Wonthaggi.

Zane Littlejohn’s charges moved to four-and-zero on the season and remain hot-on-the-heels of the similarly undefeated Giants and Southport. 

Quick out of the gates and in control for much of the first half-and-a-bit, the Hawks lead by as much as 40-points early in the third, before Port mounted a spirited challenge to trim the deficit to just 13-points at the final change.

In need of a response, the Hawks booted the first three goals of the final quarter and six to two all told, to run out comfortable winners.

A relatively even contest on the stats sheet, Box Hill recorded four more disposals, but seven fewer inside 50s, laid 16 more tackles and won four more clearances. Having taken the lead after just two minutes, Zane Littlejohn’s men would never trail and were, perhaps, ultimately a bit more efficient when and where it mattered most.

Finn Maginness was named his side’s best player on the day, and it’s no wonder why. The Hawks’ no.20 was ranked #1 on the ground in disposals (38), contested possessions (14), inside 50s (8) and clearances (10); he was the equal #1 player on the ground for score involvements (5) and equal #2 in tackles (6).

His hardness inside the contest was complemented by his hard work on the spread and he was unquestionably the stand-out player on the ground. 

Maginness was ably supported in the Box Hill midfield mix by Ethan Stanley, who turned in his best display since returning to City Oval following a stint on Fremantle’s AFL list.

The Frankston YCW product is known for his aerobic capacity and work-rate, but won a career-best 27 touches in and around the contest,  including eight clearances and laid six tackles. Further underlining his strong work ethic was a return of five inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

A strong contributor since crossing from Werribee to Box Hill in the off-season, Kye Declase’s efforts 26 touches, seven marks, four tackles and two-goal game were recognised with a nod from his coaches. That stat-line and his overall competitiveness was enough for Declase to be named his side’s third best on the day.

Changkuoth Jiath put his hand up for a senior re-call with a strong showing across half back, finishing with 26 disposals, an equal game-high seven rebound 50s, three marks and three tackles. “CJ” was at his dashing and energetic best for large parts of the day, bouncing out of defensive 50 with his trademark flair and imagination with ball in hand.

More, when the occasion called for it, Jiath was able to win a number of key defensive contests and relieve the pressure on his team.

Fellow running half-back Seamus Mitchell was also among the Hawks’ best, working to support his team with 22 touches, seven rebound 50s and eight marks. Like Jiath, he was attack-minded when required and defensively sound when needed.

Last but certainly not least among the Hawks’ best players was key forward Jasper Scaife. The West Australian was the most dominant forward on the ground and finished his day’s work with 6.1 from 12 disposals and four marks. 

At his best Scaife is a strong mark, an excellent set-shot for goal and gets great bang for buck from limited opportunities. And that was the case on Sunday. The big man was one of just five players on the ground to kick multiple goals, and was the only one to boot more than two.

Other notable performances came from ruckman Ned Reeves, who did his best to control the contest for his midfielders; Jai Serong, who anchored the Hawks’ rearguard with another solid display; and the returning Calsher Dear, whose 11 disposals, four marks and one goal was a heartening display off a long layoff.

After a cagey opening in which just three behinds were scored through seven-and-a-half minutes, Box Hill found their rhythm and range with a four-goal burst that would ultimately set-up the four points.

Jasper Scaife kicked his first to get things underway, before Max Ramsden doubled the Hawks’ lead shortly thereafter. Scaife’s second was quickly followed by Ned Reeves’ first and, all of a sudden, Box Hill found themselves well placed in the shadows of quarter time.

Tom Highmore pulled one back for the Borough, which was consolidated by Sam Philp once the second period got underway. But, as had happened in the first frame, the Hawks produced a stunning four-goal salvo.

Starting with Calsher Dear’s first after nine minutes, Scaife booted a third on 12 minutes, captain Cal Porter added another two minutes later and by the time Declase kicked his first the lead was 38-points. 

Tom Hird followed Highmore’s lead in finding a late reply but the teams went to the long break separated by 28-points.

Once play resumed youngsters the teams traded pairs of goals in a highly entertaining exchange. Cody Anderson and Bodie Ryan handed the Hawks the perfect start and a game-high lead, only for Josh Green and Jayden Davey to pinch them right back.

Scaife’s fourth and Matt Hill’s first put the game on the brink of being broken wide open, before Owen Mulady and Archi Manson hit the scoreboard to keep the contest alive. 

Will McCabe kicked truly to quell the Borough’s charge, but as it turned out they hadn’t yet made their move.

Will Calsher Dear withdrawn in the shadows of three-quarter-time and Trent Bianco out of the game on account of a knock, Port booted goals at the 27, 29 and 33 minute marks to set-up a grandstand finish.

If Hawks fans were nervy they needn’t be.

Maginness, Butler and Scaife combined to deliver the latter’s fifth after barely a minute of play in the fourth quarter, before Sam Frost was swung forward to devastating effect. ‘Frosty’ kicked back-to-back goals and all of a sudden the gap was 31-points and there had been 15 minutes played.

Mulady’s second gave his side a faint chance, but Declase’s second and Scaife’s sixth shut the door for good.

Malachi White kicked a consolation late-on to bring a smile to Port Melbourne fans, only for Noah Mraz to kick his first VFL goal and confirm a 38-point Box Hill Hawks win. 

The Hawks are next in action this coming Saturday night, when the brown and gold will host Richmond in Frankston. The match has been rescheduled and moved to accommodate Channel 7’s ‘Match of the Day’ broadcast.

Best: Maginness, Stanley, Declase, Jiath, Mitchell, Scaife

Goals: Scaife 6, Frost, Declase 2, Ryan, Reeves, Ramsden, Porter, Mraz, McCabe, Hill, Dear, Anderson

Disposals: Maginness 38, Stanley 27, Jiath 26, Declase 26, Mitchell 22, Porter 21, Serong 20