BOX HILL Hawks have won the VFL minor premiership after defeating the Northern Blues by 90 points.

James Sicily returned from a hand injury and was one of the Hawks’ best, kicking eight goals and taking 10 marks.

“I was happy that I could contribute to the team and get on the end of a few,” he said.

Sicily got on the end of the Hawks’ first and by the quarter-time break they were out to a 30-point lead.

Will Langford continued to build match fitness and was one of the Hawks’ best around the ball, while captain David Mirra had another solid game in defence.

Box Hill closed out the half with an impressive 11-goal lead, but head coach Marco Bello reminded the players there was still of a half of football left to play.

“We need to stay enthusiastic and play four quarters of football,” said Bello.

A returning Daniel Howe kicked the first goal of the second half and the Hawks were flying – piling on a further seven goals for the quarter and taking a lead of over 100 points into three-quarter time.

Chris Jones continued his solid form, kicking the Hawks’ first of the term before Sicily slotted his eighth.

But the final quarter did not go the way of the Hawks, and the Blues managed to reduce the final margin by 12 points.  

“We dropped off a bit in the last quarter, which was disappointing – we know we won’t be able to do that in September,” said Sicily.

Box Hill will host a second-placed Williamstown next Sunday, and will be looking to take some form into September.

“Williamstown is obviously a really good team, so next week will be a good test for us as we head into finals,” he said.

SCORES

BOX HILL HAWKS     7.4      15.6      23.8       26.9 (165)
NORTHERN BLUES    2.4        4.6        6.8       11.9 (75)

Goals: Sicily 8, Lawlor 3, Jones 2, Grimley 2, O’Brien 2, Howe 2, Tatupu, Mirra, Williams, Willsmore, Miles, Fisher, O’Rourke Best: Sicily, Langford, Isles, Tatupu, O’Rourke, Lock